Add Characters to String in Python

How to Add Characters to the Start and End of a String in Python?

I am new to Python and trying to figure out how to insert a specific number of characters at the beginning and end of a string. For example, if I have the string:

"where did I put my cupcake this morning"

And I want to insert 1 “L” at the start and 2 "L"s at the end, I want the resulting string to look like this:

"Lwhere did I put my cupcake this morningLL"

How can I add character to string Python to achieve this?

I’ve got some experience with Python, and string concatenation is one of the simplest ways to do this. You can directly add strings together using the + operator. Here’s what it looks like:

string = "where did I put my cupcake this morning"
result = "L" + string + "LL"
print(result)

This straightforward approach is perfect when you want quick and clear code. The resulting string will be: Lwhere did I put my cupcake this morningLL

This is an easy way to add character to string Python without involving any advanced techniques.

If you’d like a more structured and versatile method, you can use Python’s string formatting. It’s great when you’re working with dynamic strings or need more flexibility. Here’s how:

string = "where did I put my cupcake this morning"
result = "L{}LL".format(string)
print(result)

This works by inserting the original string into the placeholder {}. It’s especially helpful when you want your code to be a bit more maintainable, as it separates the formatting from the core logic.

The output will still be: Lwhere did I put my cupcake this morningLL

Using formatting is another excellent way to add character to string Python in a clean, readable manner.

For a modern and concise approach, f-strings are your go-to method. They’re available in Python 3.6 and later and make the code clean and intuitive. Here’s an example:

string = "where did I put my cupcake this morning"
result = f"L{string}LL"
print(result)

This method embeds the string directly within the braces {} as part of the overall format string. It’s perfect for readability and avoids extra function calls.

Again, the resulting string will be: Lwhere did I put my cupcake this morningLL

All these methods demonstrate different ways to add character to string Python, catering to various styles and needs. I personally prefer f-strings for their simplicity and elegance, especially in newer Python versions.