A “String” is a sequence of characters that represents the textual content or knowledge and “Characters” are symbols that we use to write down and talk, reminiscent of letters, numbers, punctuation marks, emojis, and many others. “Unicode”, nevertheless, is a typical that defines how characters are represented by computer systems. It assigns a singular quantity (referred to as a code level) to each character in each language and writing system on the planet. For instance, the character “A” belongs to the code level “U+0041”.
The principle objective of this text is to clarify why and the best way to use the “u” prefix earlier than the Python string.
What Does the “u” Prefix Earlier than the String Imply in Python?
The desired strings prefixed with “u” point out that it’s a Unicode string literal. A literal is a technique to write a worth immediately within the code with out utilizing variables or expressions and a Unicode string literal is a technique to write a string that comprises Unicode characters. For instance, (u”Hey World”) is a Unicode string literal that comprises 11 characters.
Find out how to Use “u” Earlier than a String in Python?
The best manner to make use of “u” earlier than a string in Python is to write down it immediately as a part of the code. We simply want so as to add the prefix “u” earlier than single quotes (‘ ‘) or double quotes (” “) that enclose the characters.
Instance 1: Including “u” Earlier than String in Python “2.x”
Specifying “u” earlier than the string in Python “2.x” is illustrated within the beneath instance code:
str1 = u‘Hey’
str2 = u‘你好’
print(str1)
print(str2)
Within the above code, the “u” prefix is used earlier than the initialized strings to create Unicode string literals.
Output
Instance 2: Including “u” Earlier than String in Python “3.x”
Python “3.x” launched vital modifications in string dealing with, thereby making it extra streamlined and environment friendly, in contrast to Python “2.x”, Python “3.x” treats strings by default as Unicode strings. Due to this fact, the specific “u” earlier than string notation is now not vital which will be demonstrated, as follows:
str1 = ‘Hey’
str2 = ‘你好’
print(str1)
print(str2)
Within the above code strains, the Unicode strings are initialized and printed to the output with out utilizing the prefix “u” earlier than the strings.
Output
Conclusion
Python “2.x” makes use of the prefix “u” earlier than the string notation to be able to deal with Unicode strings, however Python “3.x” makes use of Unicode by default, so the specific “u” earlier than the string notation is now not vital. The “u” earlier than the string is essential when working with legacy code or particular eventualities the place compatibility or particular character dealing with is required. This Python information offered an entire information on including “u” earlier than the string.
