In Python, both single quotes (') and double quotes (") are used to define strings. They are functionally the same, and Python does not differentiate between them semantically. For example:
one = 'Hello World'
two = "Hello World"
print(one == two) # Output: True
However, there are some practical differences that make one more convenient than the other depending on the context.
1. Avoiding Escape Characters
When your string contains a single quote ('), it's easier to use double quotes ("), and vice versa.
Example:
s1 = "I said 'Hello'" # No need to escape
s2 = 'I said \'Hello\'' # Requires escaping
s3 = 'He said "Yes"' # No need to escape
s4 = "He said \"Yes\"" # Requires escaping
2. Consistency and Style Guide (PEP 8)
According to PEP 8, Python's style guide, there’s no strict rule on choosing single vs. double quotes. However:
- Pick one style and stick to it consistently.
-
Single quotes (
') are commonly used for simple strings. -
Double quotes (
") are often used when the string contains a single quote.
3. Triple Quotes (''' or """)
Used for multiline strings or docstrings.
text1 = '''This
is a
multiline
string.'''
text2 = """This is also
a multiline string."""
For docstrings (descriptive comments for functions/classes/modules), PEP 257 recommends using triple double quotes (""").
Summary Table
| When to Use | Recommended Quote Style |
|---|---|
| No quotes inside the string | 'text' or "text" (either) |
String contains single quote (') |
Use double quotes (") |
String contains double quote (") |
Use single quotes (') |
| Multiline string or docstring | Use triple quotes (''' or """) |
If you want consistent quote style across your codebase, tools like Black (a code formatter) will automatically format strings using double quotes (") unless single quotes are required.
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