How do we write Multi-Line Statements in Python?

A statement is a logical instruction in Python that the Python interpreter can read and execute. It could be an expression or an assignment statement in Python.

Python's assignment statement is fundamental. It specifies how an expression generates and stores objects. In a simple assignment, we create new variables, assign values to them, and alter them. Following is the syntax of using the statement in Python ?

variable = expression

Creating Multi-Line Statements in Python

Statements in Python are often written on a single line. The statement is concluded by the newline character. But if the statement is really long, it can be split into multiple lines for easier comprehension. There are several ways to do this:

• Enclosing the statement in parentheses
• Using the line continuation character (\)
• Enclosing the statement in triple quotes
• Implicit line continuation within brackets

Using Parentheses

In Python, the preferred way of wrapping a long statement in multiple lines is by enclosing the statement in parentheses. All the lines between these parentheses are considered as a single statement.

Example

Here is an example showing the usage of parentheses to write multi−line statements in Python ?

result = (12 * 12 + 15 - 20)
print(result)

139

Apart from mathematical expressions, we can create multi−line strings by enclosing them in parentheses ?

my_string = ("The only way to \n"
             "learn to programming language is \n"
             "by writing code.")
print(my_string)

The only way to 
learn to programming language is 
by writing code.

Using Line Continuation Character

We can also use the line continuation character (\) to separate a single statement into multiple lines. The backslash is placed at the end of every line to let the Python interpreter know that the statement continues on the next line.

Example

Following is the example which uses the line continuation character at the end of each line ?

string = "The only way to \n" \
         "learn to programming language is \n" \
         "by writing code."
print(string)

The only way to 
learn to programming language is 
by writing code.

We can also use the line continuation character in mathematical expressions ?

math_result = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + \
              5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + \
              9 + 10
print(math_result)

55

Example with Lists

Let's see an example of initializing a list using a multi−line statement ?

# Initializing a list using the multi line statement
numbers = [10, \
           20, 30, \
           40, 50 \
           ]
print(numbers)

[10, 20, 30, 40, 50]

Using Triple Quotes

We can create multi−line strings by placing the string inside triple quotes, using either ''' or """.

Example

Here is an example of creating a multi−line statement using triple quotes ?

my_string = '''The only way to
learn any programming language is
by writing code.'''
print(my_string)

The only way to
learn any programming language is
by writing code.

Implicit Line Continuation

When we split a statement within parentheses (), brackets [], or braces {}, Python automatically handles line continuation without requiring explicit continuation characters.

Example

Let us see an example demonstrating implicit line continuation ?

result = (100 + 100
          * 5 - 5
          / 100 + 10
          )
print(result)

609.95

Here is another example with a list containing strings ?

fruits = ['Apple', 
          'Orange', 
          'Grape']
print(fruits)
print(type(fruits))

['Apple', 'Orange', 'Grape']
<class 'list'>

Comparison of Methods

Conclusion

Python offers multiple ways to write multi−line statements. Use parentheses for expressions and string concatenation, triple quotes for multi−line strings, and implicit continuation within brackets for better code readability.