Print and None

>>> 'Go Bears'
'Go Bears'
>>> print('Go Bears')
Go Bears

>>> None
>>> print(None)
None

None is special in Python, it represents nothing. A function that does not explicitly return a value will return None.

Note: None is not displayed by the interpreter as the value of an expression

>>> x = -2
>>> x
-2
>>> x = print(-2)
-2
>>> x
>>> print(x)
None

An interesting example:

>>> print(print(1), print(2))
1
1
None None

Pure Functions & Non-Pure Functions

• Pure functions just return values
• Non-pure functions have side effects

print is an example of a non-pure function, because it has side effects. A side effect isn’t value, but anything that happens as a consequence of calling a function.

Multiple Environments

With a def statement:

1. A new function is created
2. Name is bound to that funciton in the current frame

With a Call expression:

1. The operator & operand(s) are evaluated
2. The function (value of operator) is called on the arguments (value of operands)

Note: A name evaluates to the value bound to that name in the earlist frame of the current environment in which that name is found.

Miscellaneous Python Features

Something interesting:

>>> from operator import *
>>> mod(3, 2)
1
>>> mod(3.0, 2)
1.0
>>> mod(3.1, 2)
1.1
>>> mod(3.2, 2)
1.2000000000000002

Statements

A statement is executed by the interpreter to perform an action.

A compound statement consists of one or more clauses, each of which has a header and a suite. def is a compound statement.

• The first header of the compound statement determines the statement type
• The subsequent header of each clause controls the suite that follows

Boolean Contexts

Falsey values in Python:

False, 0, '', None, [] # There are more!!

Iteration

>>> i, total = 0, 0
>>> while i < 3:
...     i += 1
...     total += i
...
>>> i
3
>>> total
6

Execution Rule for while Statements

1. Evaluate the header’s expression
2. If it is truthy, execute the suite, then return to step 1.

Short-Circuting

• and returns the first falsey value, if any.
• or returns the first truthy value, if any.
• If and and or do not short-circuit, they return the last value.

Things to Take Note

Here’s something for you to ponder:

>>> 0 == False
True
>>> 1 == True
True
>>> 2 == True
False
>>> 2 == False
False

More to ponder: Why does the boolean value get casted to an integer first, and not the integer casted to a boolean first?

Python Operator Precedence

Common ones in descending precedence (most binding to least binding):

Here is the official Python Operator Precedence Chart in case you’re interested.

Hey, kudos for making it this far! If you've liked this, you might also like Names.