How To Continue A Line In Python

Python, an interpreted high-level general-purpose programming language, is known for its simplicity in code syntax which enhances its readability.

However, there are situations where a Python statement is too long to fit into a single line. Fret not, because Python gives us the flexibility to split a single line into multiple lines. In this tutorial, we will dive deep into how to continue a line in Python. So, let’s begin!

Understanding Implicit Line Continuation

In Python, the concept of Implicit Line Continuation allows a programmer to split statements over multiple lines, particularly within parentheses ( ), brackets [ ], or braces { }. The Python interpreter automatically identifies that the statement isn’t over and should be continued in the next line.

Example of Implicit Line Continuation

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num_list = [
  1, 2, 3,
  4, 5, 6,
  7, 8, 9
]
print(num_list)

Output:

[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Understanding Explicit Line Continuation

Another method to continue a line in Python is called Explicit Line Continuation. In this, we use a backslash ( \ ) at the end of the line to denote that the line needs to be continued. This method is useful in situations where you are not using parentheses, brackets, or braces.

Example of Explicit Line Continuation

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sum = 1 + 2 + 3 + \
      4 + 5 + 6 + \
      7 + 8 + 9
print(sum)

Output:

45

Understanding String Line Continuation

While handling long strings in Python, you can split the strings into multiple lines for better readability. This splitting and continuation of string lines is called String Line Continuation.

Example of String Line Continuation

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greeting = ("Hello, "
            "welcome to "
            "Python tutorials!")
print(greeting)

Output:

Hello, welcome to Python tutorials!

Full Python Code from This Tutorial

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# Implicit Line Continuation
num_list = [
  1, 2, 3,
  4, 5, 6,
  7, 8, 9
]
print(num_list)
 
# Explicit Line Continuation
sum = 1 + 2 + 3 + \
      4 + 5 + 6 + \
      7 + 8 + 9
print(sum)
 
# String Line Continuation
greeting = ("Hello, "
            "welcome to "
            "Python tutorials!")
print(greeting)

Conclusion

That’s it! You’ve successfully learned how to break a line in Python. Whether you’re using Implicit Line Continuation, Explicit Line Continuation, or String Line Continuation, Python is built with flexible options to help you maintain cleaner, more organized code. Now you’re ready to tackle long statements in Python with ease! Happy Pythoning!