Strings are immutable sequences of Unicode code points from "summary" of Fluent Python by Luciano Ramalho
In Python, strings are immutable sequences of Unicode code points. Being immutable means that once a string object is created, its contents cannot be changed. If you try to modify a string, you'll end up creating a new string object. This might seem inefficient, but it has practical advantages in terms of predictable behavior and optimization opportunities. The fact that strings are sequences means that you can access individual characters or slices of a string using the indexing syntax. This makes strings similar to lists, but with some key differences. For example, you can't modify a string in place like you can with a list. This means that methods like `append` and `pop` that modify a list in place are not available for strings. The use of Unicode code points means that Python strings can represent text in any language, as well as emojis and other symbols. Each character in a string corresponds to a Unicode code point, which is a unique number that represents that character. This allows Python to handle text in a way that is independent of the underlying character encoding. When working with strings in Python, it's important to keep in mind their immutability and the fact that they are sequences of Unicode code points. This will help you avoid unexpected behavior and make the most of the powerful string manipulation methods that Python provides. By understanding these fundamental characteristics of strings in Python, you'll be better equipped to work with text data in your programs.
Similar Posts
Dive into control statements and loops
Control statements and loops are fundamental building blocks in programming. They allow you to direct the flow of execution wit...
Multiple inheritance can lead to method resolution order issues
When a class inherits from multiple superclasses, it must resolve the methods it inherits from them. This can lead to method re...
Learn how to write and execute Python code
To become proficient in Python, you must first understand the fundamentals of writing and executing code. Python is a high-leve...
Classes and objects are fundamental concepts in Python
Classes and objects are fundamental concepts in Python. Classes are a way of bundling data and functionality together. When you...
Functions perform actions
In Python, functions are used to perform actions. These actions can be anything from simple arithmetic calculations to complex ...