working of \n in python

Question

I am currently taking a course in python. When talking about escape sequences they told about "\n" is used for printing strings in new line. But when it is used in the following ways why I am getting a different output

>>> st = "Hello\nWorld"
>>> st
'Hello\nWorld'

But if I do

>>> print st
Hello
World

Also see [Difference between `__str__` and `__repr__` in Python](http://stackoverflow.com/q/1436703/4014959) — PM 2Ring, Jul 18 '15 at 08:54
Another related link: [Understanding repr( ) function in Python](http://stackoverflow.com/q/7784148/4014959) — PM 2Ring, Jul 18 '15 at 09:05

score 12 · Accepted Answer · edited Jul 18 '15 at 08:53

There are two functions that give an object's string representation, repr() and str(). The former is designed to convert the object to as-code string, while the latter gives user-friendly string.

When you input the variable name in the command line, repr() is used, and \n character is shown as \n (as-code). When you use print, str() is used, and \n is shown as a new line (user-friendly).

By the way, str is a bad name for a variable, as it's the same as the built-in.

Himanshu Mishra · Answer 2 · 2015-07-18T09:00:49.380

0

When you do

st

It is somewhat similar to

"\n"

where you expect the string \n in return, and not a new line.

In both cases, the print function is not called which can actually process what \n really means. That's why print 'Hello\nWorld' gives different output than

>>> 'Hello\nWorld'

edited Jul 18 '15 at 09:00

answered Jul 18 '15 at 08:46

Himanshu Mishra

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working of \n in python

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