Boston Python Workshop 8/Friday/Tutorial: Difference between revisions

The simplest way to make a choice in Python is with the <code>if</code> keyword. Here's an example (don't try to type this one, just look at it for now):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<code>if 6 > 5:</code><br />

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<code>print("Six is greater than five!")</code>

That is our first multi-line piece of code, and the way to type it at a Python prompt is a little different. Let's break down how to do this (type this out step by step):

<ol>

<li>First, type the<br />

<br />

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<code>if 6 > 5:</code><br />

<br />

part, and press Enter. The next line will have <code>...</code> as a prompt, instead of the usual <code>&gt;&gt;&gt;</code>. This is Python telling us that we are in the middle of a <b>code block</b>, and so long as we indent our code it should be a part of this code block.</li>

<li>Press the spacebar 4 times to indent.</li>

<li>Type<br />

<br />

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<code>print("Six is greater than five!")</code><br /><br /></li>

<li>Press Enter to end the line. The prompt will still be a <code>...</code></li>

<li>Press Enter one more time to tell Python you are done with this code block. The code block will now execute.</li>

</ol>

All together, it will look like this: