Python Variables


Variables are used to store data in a computer’s memory. A variable’s name should clearly describe the kind of data it holds. In Python, you don’t need to declare the data type of a variable—Python automatically detects it.

Some common data types in Python include:

  • Integers (int) for whole numbers

  • Floats for decimal numbers

  • Booleans for True or False values

  • Strings for text

We’ll look at 10 examples of these within 15 minutes.

Example 1 an integer

Here we store the number 5714 in a variable named strikeouts.

It then prints the value and confirms it’s type using type(), which will out put <class ‘int’>.

  strikeouts = 5714
  print(strikeouts)
  print(type(strikeouts))

Example 2 float

Here we store the value 3.19 in a variable called era.

We check the type using the type() method and it shows its a float.

  era = 3.19
  print(era)
  print(type(era))

Example 3 String

The variable “position” holds the text “Pitcher”.

The type() method confirms it’s a str, which stands for string.

  position = 'Pitcher'
  print(position)
  print(type(position))

Example 4 Boolean - True or False

Here, we store the Boolean “True” in a variable called hall_of_fame.

A Boolean can only be True or False.

we use the type tocheck the “hall_of_fame” and it returns a bool(Boolean)

  hall_of_fame = True
  print(hall_of_fame)
  print(type(hall_of_fame))

Example 5 Chained Assignments

This line assigns values to three variables at once:
Wins = 324, Losses = 292, and WHIP = 1.247

This is called chained or multiple assignment and is a clean way to intitialize multiple vairables in one line

  Wins, Losses, WHIP = 324, 292, 1.247
  print(Wins)
  print(Losses)
  print(WHIP)
How do new values impact variables

Here we reassign a new number 377 to the Wins variable

  Wins = 377
Combine multiple variables

This code defines two string variables, first_name and last_name, then combines them using the + operstor and a space ‘ ‘ to form a full name.

Its also called string concatenation

  first_name = 'Nolan'
  last_name = 'Ryan'
  full_name = first_name + ' ' + last_name
  print(full_name)
cast variable str(age)
  number = 34

Here we are also performing string concatenation but we convert the variable “number” from an interger(int) to a string(str)

  full_name_number = first_name + ' ' + last_name + ' number ' + str(number)
  print(full_name_number)

Rules for Naming Variables in Python

Variable names cannot start with a number.

Variable names cannot contain dashes (-).

Variable names cannot have spaces.

Examples of invalid variable names:

1variable (starts with a number)

my-variable (contains a dash)

my variable (contains a space)

Here, we assign the value 1000 to the variable student_count. The varaible name clearly describes what the value represents.
Once assigned, you can use student_count anywhere in your python program to refer to this value(1000)

  students_count = 1000 #allocate memory to store 1000 #use this name anywhere in our program
  print(students_count)

Constants and Literals

Constants are variables whose values should not be changed after assignment.

In Python, constants are usually written in all uppercase letters by convention (e.g., PI = 3.14), but Python does not enforce this.

Literals are fixed values directly written in code, such as numbers (10, 3.14) or strings ("Hello").

Ryan is a Data Scientist at a fintech company, where he focuses on fraud prevention in underwriting and risk. Before that, he worked as a Data Analyst at a tax software company. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from UCF.

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