What is %% for in Python?

Question

I'm trying to understand the following Python quine:

s = 's = %r\nprint(s%%s)'
print(s%s)

In particular, I'm having trouble finding any info about that %% part. Anyone know what that does exactly, in this context?

Postscript: Sorry for the silly question - it's just an escape character. My google search was focused on %%, which didn't lead me in the right direction. Thanks to those who took the time to respond! :)

Did you try Google? The first few hits for [`Python string percent sign`](https://www.google.com/search?q=python+string+percent+sign) answer your question. — user2357112, Sep 17 '14 at 23:20
not a dupe, one looking for an explanation of `%%` doesn't know to look for escaping percents. — Russia Must Remove Putin, Sep 17 '14 at 23:23

khelwood · Accepted Answer · 2022-09-07T20:25:38.620

17

%% means a percent symbol after using the % operator on your string.

% is a special symbol for substitutions, so when you put

'Hi %s'%name

you are substituting a variable into the string at the point where %s occurs. There are lots of other % codes for different uses. But to just get a percent symbol after substitution, you put %%.

edited Sep 07 '22 at 20:25

answered Sep 17 '14 at 23:20

khelwood

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What is %% for in Python?

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