Day-3 | Keywords, Variables & Best Practices | Global vs Local | #python #abhishekveeramalla

Introduction

This tutorial focuses on the fundamental concepts of keywords, variables, and best practices in Python, as discussed in the video "Day-3 | Keywords, Variables & Best Practices" by Abhishek Veeramalla. Understanding these concepts is essential for effective programming in Python, especially for those interested in DevOps and cloud technologies.

Step 1: Understanding Keywords

Keywords are reserved words in Python that have special meanings and cannot be used as identifiers (like variable names). Familiarizing yourself with keywords is crucial for writing syntactically correct code.

• Common Python Keywords:

  • False
  • None
  • True
  • and
  • as
  • assert
  • async
  • await
  • break
  • class
  • continue
  • def
  • del
  • elif
  • else
  • except
  • finally
  • for
  • from
  • global
  • if
  • import
  • in
  • is
  • lambda
  • nonlocal
  • not
  • or
  • pass
  • raise
  • return
  • try
  • while
  • with
  • yield

• Practical Tip: Use keywords appropriately and avoid naming your variables with these words to prevent syntax errors.

Step 2: Working with Variables

Variables are used to store data values. In Python, you do not need to declare the type of a variable; the interpreter determines the type based on the value assigned.

• Declaring Variables:

  • Syntax: variable_name = value
  • Example:

    my_variable = 10
    name = "Abhishek"
    is_active = True
    

• Naming Conventions:

  • Use descriptive names (e.g., user_count instead of uc).
  • Use underscores to separate words (e.g., total_sales).
  • Avoid starting names with numbers.

• Common Pitfalls:

  • Overwriting built-in function names (e.g., naming a variable list).
  • Using spaces in variable names.

Step 3: Global vs Local Variables

Understanding the scope of variables is crucial in Python programming.

• Local Variables:

  • Declared within a function and can only be accessed inside that function.
  • Example:

    def my_function():
        local_variable = "I am local"
        print(local_variable)
    my_function()
    

• Global Variables:

  • Declared outside any function and can be accessed anywhere in the code.
  • Example:

    global_variable = "I am global"
    
    def my_function():
        print(global_variable)
    
    my_function()
    

• Best Practices:

  • Limit the use of global variables to avoid unexpected behaviors.
  • Use parameters to pass data to functions instead of relying on global state.

Step 4: Best Practices for Variables and Keywords

To write clean and efficient Python code, adhere to the following best practices:

• Consistency: Follow consistent naming conventions throughout your code.
• Commenting: Use comments to explain complex logic but avoid over-commenting obvious lines.
• Readability: Write code that is easy to read and understand; this helps both you and others who may read your code later.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we covered the essential concepts of keywords, variables, and their best practices in Python. Remember to use keywords correctly, choose meaningful variable names, and understand the difference between local and global variables. These practices will help you write better, more maintainable code, especially in DevOps and cloud environments. For further learning, consider exploring more advanced Python topics or practical applications in your projects.