As I mentioned before Python is a simple language with a focus on readability. This focus is expressed in its syntax:
* Lines of code end in newline (Contrast with Java, C++, Objective-C whose lines must end in semi-colon).
* Indentation is enforced in compile-time. For instance:
This code compiles in Python:
if x > 0:
print(x)
This code does not compile in Python:
if x > 0:
print (x)
The importance of code readability and indentation is very well explained in the Clean Code book by Robert C. Martin.
* No explicit data type specification when declaring variables:
The following code in Java:
int add(int x, int y) {
int result = x + y;
return result;
}
Looks like this in Python:
def add(x, y):
result = x + y
return result
Besides enforcing greater readability in syntax during compile-time, there are guidelines that a programmer should follow in order to write readable code in Python. Always keep in mind that most of your time as a programmer will be spent reading code. Hence, you should become very proficient in producing clean and readable code.
