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Indentation

Indentation in Python means adding spaces or tabs at the beginning of a line to show that it belongs to a block of code. It is like grouping instructions together to tell Python which steps to follow under certain conditions or inside a function.

  • In other languages, we use to group code.
  • In Python, indentation replaces and shows where a block of code starts and ends.

Simple English sentences where punctuation changes meaning​

  • Let's eat Grandma.

    • Means: We are about to eat Grandma (cannibalism)!

  • I like cooking my family and my dog.

    • Means: I enjoy cooking my family and my dog (yikes!).

  • The panda eats, shoots, and leaves.

    • Means: The panda eats food, then shoots (a gun), and leaves.

Examples of indentation in Python​

if 5 > 3:
    print("Five is greater than three.")  # This line is indented, so it's part of the 'if' block.

print("This is outside the block.")  # Not indented, so it's not part of the 'if' block.
if 5 > 3:
print("This line is not indented!")  # Error because Python expects an indented block.

number = 5

print("Line 1: Hello")

if number < 0:
    print("Line 2: Processing.....")
    print("Line 3: The number is negative.")

print("Line 4: Goodbye")

Indentation Check:

  • The indentation is correct because:
    • The if statement checks if number < 0, and the indented block under it contains two print statements.
    • After the if block, print("Line 4: Goodbye") is at the same level as the if statement, meaning it is outside the conditional block and will always execute.
time_of_day = "morning"

if time_of_day == "morning":
    print("Good morning!")  # Only runs if the condition is True.

time_of_day = "afternoon"
if time_of_day == "afternoon":
    print("Good afternoon!")  # Only runs if the condition is True.

Indentation Check:

  • The if statements are correctly structured:
    • The conditions (if time_of_day == "morning": and if time_of_day == "afternoon":) are at the correct indentation level.
    • The print statements inside the if blocks are indented exactly one level (4 spaces) inside the block, which is correct in Python.
    • No unnecessary or incorrect indentation is present.