Different ways to format strings in Python
Python offers multiple ways to format strings, each with its own advantages. The oldest method uses the % operator (similar to C's printf), followed by the str.format() method introduced in Python 2.6, and most recently f-strings (formatted string literals) introduced in Python 3.6. F-strings are generally preferred for their readability, performance, and concise syntax. They allow embedding expressions inside string literals using {expression} syntax. Format specifiers can control formatting: :.2f for 2 decimal places, :, for thousands separators, :>10 for right alignment, etc. String formatting is essential for creating user-friendly output, generating reports, logging messages, and preparing data for display. Understanding the different formatting options allows you to choose the most appropriate method for your specific use case, with f-strings being the modern standard for most situations due to their clarity and efficiency.