Python Keywords and Identifiers

Keywords are reserved word in Python programming language that cannot be used for naming variables, constants or function names in while writing Python programs. Identifiers are the names given to the variables, constants, functions, classes etc. In this tutorial, we will learn more about what are the keywords and some rules for naming identifiers.

What are Keywords for Python?

Keywords in python represent reserved words that cannot be used as identifiers. Following are the list of keywords in Python.

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and exec not
assert finally or
break for pass
class from print
continue global raise
def if return
del import try
elif in while
else is with
except lambda yield

Let us go through some keywords and their use:-

Method Description
and A logical operator that produces true if all values are right
as To create an alias in Python
assert For debugging purpose
break To break out of a loop
class Used to create a class in Python
continue To continue to the next iteration of a loop
def The definition of a function starts with def keyword
del To delete an object
elif Used in conditional statements, same as else if
else Conditional statement used with if statement
except Used with exceptions, what to do when an exception occurs
False Boolean value, the result of comparison operations
finally Used with exceptions, a block of code that will be executed no matter if there is an exception or not
for To create a for loop
from To import specific parts of a module
global To declare a global variable
if To make a conditional statement
import To import a module
in To check if a value is present in a list, tuple, etc.
is To test if two variables are equal
lambda To create an anonymous function
None Represents a null value
nonlocal To declare a non-local variable
not A logical operator to check if it is not
or A logical operator produces true if all any one of the value is right
pass A null statement, a statement that will do nothing
raise To raise an exception
return To exit a function and return a value
True Boolean value, the result of comparison operations
try To make a try…except statement
while To create a while loop
with Used to simplify exception handling
yield To end a function, returns a generator

How to see the list of keywords available in Python?

To see the list of available keywords, you can use the command as shown below:-

import keyword
print(keyword.kwlist)

What is an identifier in Python?

In Python, an identifier is a name used to identify a variable, function, class, module or other objects. Identifier begins with a letter a to z or A to Z or an underscore (_) trailed by zero or more letters, underscores, and digits (0 to 9).  An identifier is a name given to entities like class, functions, variables etc. in Python. It helps to differentiate one entity from another.

What are the naming conventions for Python identifiers?

    1. Identifier begins with a letter a to z or A to Z or an underscore (_) trailed by zero or more letters, underscores, and digits (0 to 9)
    2. We cannot use keywords as an identifier name
    3. An identifier cannot start with a digit. 5variable is an invalid identifier, however, digits can be added after the variable name.
    4. The use of special symbols like !, @, #, $, % etc. is forbidden in an identifier.
    5. An identifier can be of any length, however, it is always good to make it shorter to make it more readable.
    6. Class names start with an uppercase letter. All other identifiers start with a lowercase letter.
    7. Starting an identifier with a single leading underscore indicates that the identifier is private.
    8. Starting an identifier with two leading underscores indicates a strongly private identifier.
    9. If the identifier also ends with two trailing underscores, the identifier is a language-defined special name.

Python is a case-sensitive language. This means Variable and variable are not the same. Make sure you name them carefully.

Guidelines derived from Guido’s Recommendations

Here are the guidelines that is derived from Guido that helps you better obtain uniform programming guidelines for your python projects.

What is Python Coding Style?

Python coding style is defined by PEP-8 style which stands for Python Enhancement Proposal that provides a proper technical documentation and rules that is made standard in the Python community. Here are some of the guidelines that is provided in PEP-8.

  1. Use 4 spaces per indentation and no tabs.
  2. Do not mix tabs and spaces. Tabs create confusion and it is recommended to use only spaces.
  3. Maximum line length : 79 characters which help users with a small display.
  4. Use blank lines to separate top-level function and class definitions and single blank line to separate
  5. methods definitions inside a class and larger blocks of code inside functions.
  6. When possible, put inline comments (should be complete sentences).
  7. Use spaces around expressions and statements.

Do visit  https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/ for PEP 8 — Style Guide for Python Code.

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