How to Wrap Long Lines in Python?

Line length has a significant impact on the readability and style of Python code. Although PEP 8, the style guide for Python code, recommends maintaining lines to a maximum of 79 characters, Python does not impose any strict line length limits. The goal of this recommendation is to improve readability, particularly when examining code in different views side by side or on smaller screens.

However, adhering strictly to a 79-character limit can sometimes lead to awkward line breaks and reduce readability. In such cases, Python provides several methods to wrap long lines effectively.

1. Implicit Line Continuation:

Python permits implicit line continuations enclosed in brackets, braces, or parentheses. It indicates that Python recognizes that an expression continues on the following line if these surround it:

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This approach makes it obvious where the phrase ends and is intuitive. When working with function calls, mathematical expressions, and data structures like dictionaries, tuples, and lists, it's especially helpful.

2. Explicit Line Continuation:

Moreover, Python supports explicit line continuation by employing the backslash () symbol. It can make code more difficult to follow. Therefore, it's not as favored as implicit continuation, but it's occasionally required:

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Explicit line continuation can be useful when the expression doesn't naturally fit within parentheses or when you want to split long strings without concatenation.

3. String Concatenation:

For long strings, you can use string concatenation. It can make the code more readable:

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Using string concatenation helps maintain readability by keeping the code aligned and visually separated.

4. Multi-Line Strings:

For multi-line strings, you can use triple-quoted strings:

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Multi-line strings are commonly used for docstrings, SQL queries, or any long text that you want to maintain the exact formatting of.

5. Using Parentheses for Function Calls:

You can make functions easier to read by using parenthesis when calling them with a lot of arguments:

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6. Breaking After Operators:

When breaking a line after an operator, place the operator at the start of the next line:

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7. Using Backslashes for Line Continuation:

Although backslashes are less desired than implicit continuation for explicit line continuation, they should be avoided in general due to their lower readability. They may, nevertheless, be helpful in some circumstances, such as when dividing lengthy sentences inside dictionaries or lists:

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8. Using Python's Black Formatter:

Black is an opinionated Python code formatter. It automatically wraps long lines and takes care of other stylistic issues when uniformly reformatting complete Python scripts. Install Black via pip in order to utilize it:

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Then, you can run Black on your Python files:

Black will automatically format the file according to its style rules, including wrapping long lines.

9. Using IDE or Text Editor Features:

For assistance with code formatting and line wrapping, a lot of IDEs and text editors provide features or plugins. For instance, you can install extensions like "Python" or "Pylance" in Visual Studio Code to get formatting options. PyCharm also has built-in tools for style enforcement and code reformatting.

10. Refactoring Code:

Long lines might occasionally indicate too complex code and the need for refactoring. One way to make complex expressions easier to comprehend and maintain is to split them down into smaller, more manageable sections. As an illustration:

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Python provides a number of techniques for efficiently handling lengthy lines, guaranteeing the readability and maintainability of the code. Making the code intelligible and unambiguous is the ultimate goal, even though following PEP 8 principles is advantageous. Because it is easier to understand, implicit line continuation inside parentheses, brackets, or braces is frequently chosen. Although it's less common, explicit line continuation with backslashes has its uses. Other useful methods include string concatenation, multi-line strings, and breaking after operators. IDE capabilities, refactoring code, and tools such as the Black formatter can also facilitate long-line management. Recall that the approach chosen should put readability and context first, with the goal of making the code simple to comprehend for both present and future developers.