Python Basics — print() Function

print() Function

The print() function displays output to the console. It’s the most basic and most frequently used function in Python.

Basic Printing

print("Hello, World!")      # Hello, World!
print(42)                   # 42
print(3.14)                 # 3.14
print(True)                 # True
print([1, 2, 3])            # [1, 2, 3]

Printing Multiple Values

Pass multiple arguments separated by commas:

name = "Alice"
age = 25
print("Name:", name, "Age:", age)
# Name: Alice Age: 25

By default, print() separates values with a space.

The sep Parameter

Change the separator between values:

print("apple", "banana", "cherry")
# apple banana cherry

print("apple", "banana", "cherry", sep=", ")
# apple, banana, cherry

print("2025", "03", "15", sep="-")
# 2025-03-15

print("Hello", "World", sep="---")
# Hello---World

print(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, sep=" | ")
# 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

The end Parameter

By default, print() adds a newline (\n) at the end. Change it with end:

# Default behavior — each print on a new line
print("Hello")
print("World")
# Hello
# World

# Custom end — print on the same line
print("Hello", end=" ")
print("World")
# Hello World

# No newline
print("Loading", end="")
print("...")
# Loading...

# Custom end character
print("Step 1", end=" → ")
print("Step 2", end=" → ")
print("Done!")
# Step 1 → Step 2 → Done!

Printing to a File

Use the file parameter to write output to a file instead of the console:

with open("output.txt", "w") as f:
    print("Hello, File!", file=f)
    print("Line 2", file=f)

This creates output.txt with:

Hello, File!
Line 2

Pretty Printing with pprint

For complex data structures, use pprint for readable output:

from pprint import pprint

data = {"name": "Alice", "scores": [95, 87, 92], "address": {"city": "NYC", "zip": "10001"}}

# Regular print — hard to read
print(data)
# {'name': 'Alice', 'scores': [95, 87, 92], 'address': {'city': 'NYC', 'zip': '10001'}}

# Pretty print — formatted
pprint(data)
# {'address': {'city': 'NYC', 'zip': '10001'},
#  'name': 'Alice',
#  'scores': [95, 87, 92]}

print() Function Signature

print(*objects, sep=' ', end='\n', file=sys.stdout, flush=False)

Parameter	Default	Description
*objects	—	Values to print (any number)
sep	' '	Separator between values
end	'\n'	String appended after last value
file	sys.stdout	Output destination
flush	False	Force flush the output buffer

The flush Parameter

Useful for progress indicators where you want immediate output:

import time

for i in range(5):
    print(f"\rProgress: {i+1}/5", end="", flush=True)
    time.sleep(1)
print()  # Final newline

Common Patterns

# Blank line
print()

# Separator line
print("-" * 50)

# Formatted table row
print(f"{'Name':<15} {'Age':>5} {'City':<10}")
print(f"{'Alice':<15} {25:>5} {'NYC':<10}")
# Name              Age City
# Alice              25 NYC

Summary

• print() displays output to the console
• Use sep to change the separator (default: space)
• Use end to change the ending character (default: newline)
• Use file to redirect output to a file
• Use pprint for readable complex data structures
• Use flush=True for immediate output (progress bars)

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Next up: input() Function →