Beginning Programming with Python For Dummies

Chapter 11

Working with Strings

In This Chapter

Considering the string difference

Using special characters in strings

Working with single characters

Performing string-specific tasks

Finding what you need in a string

Modifying the appearance of string output

Your computer doesn’t understand strings. It’s a basic fact. Computers understand numbers, not letters. When you see a string on the computer screen, the computer actually sees a series of numbers. However, humans understand strings quite well, so applications need to be able to work with them. Fortunately, Python makes working with strings relatively easy. It translates the string you understand into the numbers the computer understands, and vice versa.

In order to make strings useful, you need to be able to manipulate them. Of course, that means taking strings apart and using just the pieces you need or searching the string for ...