Question

What will the following code display? var = '$' print(var.upper())

Short answer

```python var = "\)" print(var.upper()) ``` Answer: The output of the code will be "\)".

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the upper() method

The upper() method is a built-in Python string method that returns a new string where all the characters in the original string are converted to uppercase. If the original character is already an uppercase letter or has no uppercase equivalent (like numbers and symbols), it will remain unchanged.

Applying the upper() method to the string

Given the input for the variable "var" is the string '\(', when the upper() method is applied, it will search for an uppercase equivalent to the symbol "\)". Since there is no uppercase equivalent for this symbol, the upper() method will do nothing to the given string, and it will remain the same.

Print the result

Finally, as the code prints the result of var.upper(), the output will be the original string '\('. As there is no change to the original string, the code will display '\)'.

Key concepts

String Methods in Python

Python provides a powerful set of built-in methods that you can use on strings. These string methods are functions that can perform specific operations on strings and return a new string value. A common feature of string methods is that they do not modify the original string, as strings in Python are immutable. Instead, they return a new string that is the result of the operation.

For example, the upper() method converts all lowercase characters in a string to uppercase characters and returns the new string. There are numerous other string methods like lower(), capitalize(), strip(), replace(), and find(). Each serves a different purpose, such as transforming string case, searching for substrings, or replacing content. Understanding these methods is vital for text manipulation and is a basic skill for any Python programmer.

Python Built-in Functions

One of the strengths of Python is its comprehensive set of built-in functions that are always available for your use without the need to import any additional modules. These functions are an integral part of Python programming basics and provide quick, easy, and efficient ways to perform many common tasks.

• print() is used for displaying output.
• len() returns the length of an object.
• input() allows user input.
• int(), str(), and float() are used for typecasting.
• range() generates a sequence of numbers.

It's important to have a good grasp of these functions as they can be used in almost any program, making coding more productive and your code more readable.

Python Programming Basics

Understanding the basics of Python programming is fundamental for any learner. The core principles involve knowing the syntax, understanding data types, control structures (like loops and conditional statements), and the use of functions and modules. An essential part of Python basics is the mastery of string manipulation, as it is a common task in programming.

This includes using string literals, concatenation, accessing characters, slicing, and employing string methods, such as the aforementioned upper() method. Additionally, understanding how to properly utilize Python’s built-in functions will aid in writing more concise and effective code. Remembering that Python is an object-oriented language, knowing how to define and use classes and objects is also crucial. Lastly, Python’s philosophy emphasizes code readability, so it is important to write clear and organized code that is easy for others to understand and maintain.