How To Store Output In A Variable In Python

In this tutorial, we will learn how to store the output of Python code in a variable. This is a fundamental programming concept, which comes in handy while working with different types of data and processes. As a programmer, you need to know how to store the output of your Python script in a variable, in order to further manipulate, log or display the results.

Step 1: Create a Python Function

To demonstrate how to store the output in a variable, we will first create a simple function that takes two numbers as arguments and returns their sum.

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def add_numbers(a, b):
    total = a + b
    return total

This function adds two numbers and returns their sum.

Step 2: Call the Function and Store its Output in a Variable

In this step, we will call the previously created function and store its output in a variable. To do this, use the following code:

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result = add_numbers(3, 5)

Now, the variable result contains the output of the function call, which is the sum of the numbers 3 and 5.

Step 3: Display the Value Stored in the Variable

After storing the output in the variable, you can use the stored value in any way you like. For example, you can display the result:

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print("The sum is:", result)

Running this code will display the following output:

The sum is: 8

Step 4: Use the Stored Output for Further Processing

You can also use the stored output for further processing, i.e., performing calculations or other functions on the result. Here’s an example:

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double_result = result * 2
print("Double the sum:", double_result)

Running this code will display the following output:

Double the sum: 16

As you can see, the output of the function call has been effectively stored in the variable, which was then used for further processing.

Full Code

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def add_numbers(a, b):
    total = a + b
    return total
 
result = add_numbers(3, 5)
 
print("The sum is:", result)
 
double_result = result * 2
print("Double the sum:", double_result)

Note: Similarly, you can store output in variables for different functions or even the output of running a command using the subprocess library. This concept is applicable to various tasks in Python programming.

Conclusion

Being able to store the output of a function or a process in a Python variable is crucial for maintaining efficient code. This tutorial showed you how to create a function in Python, call the function and store its output in a variable, and use the stored output for further processing.

Understanding these steps will enable you to store and manipulate data effectively, which is essential for building more complex programs and applications in Python.