Question

Write a program that reads a series of strings and prints only those strings beginning with the letter "b."

Short answer

Write a Python program that reads strings and prints those starting with 'b'.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Problem

We need to write a program that will read multiple string inputs and identify strings that start with the letter 'b'.

Choosing the Appropriate Programming Language

We decide to use Python to implement this task because of its simplicity in handling string operations and input/output functions.

Reading Input Strings

We'll need to read a list of strings from the user. We could use an input function to collect multiple strings, perhaps asking the user to enter them one by one, terminating input with a specific keyword.

Filtering Strings That Begin With 'b'

For each string we read, we'll check if it starts with 'b' using the method .startswith('b'). If it does, we keep it in our result list.

Outputting the Results

Finally, we'll print each string that starts with 'b'. These are the strings that match our criteria.

Key concepts

Python Programming

Python is a versatile and popular programming language known for its readability and simplicity. It is widely used in web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and more. One of the reasons Python is great for beginners is its straightforward syntax, which makes it easy to learn and understand. In this exercise, Python is a perfect choice due to its efficient handling of string operations and user inputs. Using Python, we can quickly write and execute programs, making it ideal for tasks like string filtering. When learning Python, focus on its basic constructs such as loops, functions, and data structures to effectively solve various programming challenges.

Conditional Statements

Conditional statements are a fundamental part of programming that allow you to make decisions based on specific conditions. In Python, the `if` statement is used to evaluate a condition. If the condition is true, Python executes the code block under the `if` statement. Otherwise, it looks for other conditions under `elif` or executes the code under `else` if no conditions are met.
For instance, in our string filtering task, we utilize a conditional statement to determine if a string starts with the letter 'b'. The condition `.startswith('b')` checks if this statement is true for each string. This logical approach helps filter and retrieve only the desired strings, showcasing the power of conditional logic in programming.

Input Handling

Input handling in Python is crucial when developing interactive programs. Python provides the `input()` function that allows users to enter data, which is then processed by the program. This function captures data as a string. When multiple inputs are required, as in this exercise, a loop can be employed.
To manage user inputs efficiently, consider specifying a termination condition. For example, users might enter strings one-by-one, ending their input with a keyword like 'exit'. This improves the user experience and makes programs more robust. Additionally, input handling involves validating and possibly converting input data into appropriate formats for further processing.

String Methods

String methods are built-in functions in Python that perform a variety of operations on string data. These methods, like `.startswith()`, `.lower()`, and `.upper()`, provide powerful tools for string manipulation.
In this exercise, the `.startswith('b')` method is pivotal. It checks if a string begins with the specified letter, 'b', and returns a boolean result. Such methods simplify operations that would otherwise require complex logic.
Understanding and utilizing string methods can greatly enhance your ability to perform textual operations, making these methods fundamental when working with strings in Python programming.