Question

You need the user of a program to enter a customer's last name. Write a statement that prompts the user to enter this data and assigns the input to a variable.

Short answer

Answer: To prompt the user for the customer's last name in Python, you can use the `input()` function with a message asking for the last name. To store the user's input in a variable, use the assignment operator `=`. The code to achieve this is: ```python customer_last_name = input("Please enter the customer's last name: ") ```

Step-by-step solution

Choose a variable name to store the customer's last name

First, we should choose a variable name to store the user's input. In this case, let's use the variable name `customer_last_name`.

Prompt the user for input

We can use the `input()` function in Python to display a message to prompt the user for their input. The message should be a string that informs the user that they need to enter the customer's last name.

Store the user's input in the chosen variable

Finally, we need to assign the user's input to the chosen variable. In this case, we need to store the input in the variable `customer_last_name`. We will do this by using the assignment operator, `=`. Altogether, here is the code in Python: ```python customer_last_name = input("Please enter the customer's last name: ") ```

Key concepts

User Input

In Python programming, collecting data from users is a common task. The language provides a straightforward way to gather user input through the built-in `input()` function. This function displays a message on the screen—known as a prompt—and then waits for the user to enter some data.

When using the `input()` function, it's important to provide clear instructions in the prompt so the user knows exactly what information is expected. For example, if we need the user to enter a customer's last name, a simple and direct prompt like, "Please enter the customer's last name:" tells the user exactly what to do.

Using the `input()` function makes interaction with users much easier and helps to create dynamic, user-friendly programs. Whether you're collecting a single string or interacting with users for complex data, mastering user input in Python can enhance the functionality of your programs.

Variables

Variables in Python are used to store and manage data values that your program can manipulate. Think of variables as containers that hold information. The data stored can be modified, retrieved, and used several times throughout the program.

A variable in Python is created by naming it and assigning it a value. The choice of a variable name should be meaningful, descriptive of its content or purpose. For example, if you're storing a customer's last name, you might name the variable `customer_last_name`. Variable names must start with a letter or an underscore, and can only contain alphanumeric characters and underscores.

Using variables makes your code more readable and organized. Instead of dealing with raw data repeatedly, you work with variables, which can be easily referenced and manipulated later within the code, making programming more efficient and logically structured.

Assignment Operator

The assignment operator in Python is the `=` symbol, and it plays a crucial role in assigning values to variables. Essentially, it tells the program to take the value on its right side and store it in the variable on its left.

In the example `customer_last_name = input("Please enter the customer's last name: ")`, the assignment operator stores the string entered by the user into the variable `customer_last_name`. This is a fundamental concept in programming, as it allows dynamic data handling and storage during the program's runtime.

The assignment operator is simple yet powerful. It lets you store expressions, calculations, user input, and other data types in variables, enabling your program to build, alter, and recall data efficiently throughout its execution.