Edna's Python Archives

Warm-up: one random term.

• integer

  Data types

  What this creature is

  An integer is a whole number (no decimal part). You use it for counting, indexing, and math where fractions are not needed.

  Why you will regret ignoring it

  List positions, scores, and loop counts are often integers. Mixing integers and floats on purpose is fine; mixing them by accident causes bugs.

  Example

  items = 3
  total = items + 2

  Common disgrace

  Expecting division of two integers to behave like “real” division in every case — in Python 3, / gives a float; use // for integer division when you need it.

  Trial by code

  Set a variable to 10, subtract 3, and print the result.