Format output string, right alignment

String alignment basics in Python

Python packs a punch with quite an array of tools for right alignment, bearing resemblance to C++ std::setw(). Python's str.format(), f-string, and rjust() provide a multitude of ways to give your text the perfect alignment.

• str.format() with {:>width}:

# Me aligning my life priorities like:
line = "Morning Run"
formatted = "{:>30}".format(line)
print(formatted)  # Will I ever go for that run? Stay tuned.
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• f-string formatting:

# Python version 3.6+ > Upgrading life version
description = "Productivity"
width = 20
print(f'{description:>{width}}')  # But first, let me take a coffee
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• rjust() method:

# I'm just right, said every string after using rjust()
title = "Chapter 1"
print(title.rjust(15, '.'))  # Start of another "dot"iful journey
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Exercise your Pythonic power: Unpack and align multiple values

# Consider this as String Avengers!
values = ['Name', 3.14159, "A long story by Hemingway"]
formatted_line = "{:>10} {:>10} {:>45}".format(*values)
print(formatted_line)  # Avengers, Assemble and right align!
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The array values is unpacked into individual arguments for formatting, each right-aligned within its own defined character width.

When real-world collides with aligned strings

Crafting aligned columns in datasets

Data presentation is crucial, especially when handling text files representing tables or json configurations:

# Preparing a alignment banquet for strings
headers = ["ID", "Name", "Price"]
rows = [
  [1234, "Widget", 19.99],
  [5678, "Gadget", 12.49],
  # More rows as your heart desires
]

print(" | ".join(f"{h:>{10}}" for h in headers))
for row in rows:
  print(" | ".join(f"{str(c):>{10}}" for c in row))
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Each column maintains a right-aligned posture, providing a clean and professional appearance much like a well-dressed butler.

Padding text display for client-side winning

UI and CLI interfaces often require elements to line up, like soldiers on a parade:

step_names = ["Download", "Install", "Configure", "Execute"]
max_width = max(len(name) for name in step_names)

for name in step_names:
  # My steps are aligned, now, if only my life would follow  
  print(f"{name:>{max_width}} Progress: [----------]")
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Efficient manipulation with string and expressions

In Python 3.6+, f-strings also support expressions within braces:

for i in range(1, 6):
  print(f"Value {i:<{2}}: {i**2:>{4}}")  # Abstract nuances of life with Python f-string
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Advanced tweaks for aligned strings

Peace within spaces

Let's delve into spacing nuances. Consider a receipt, your prices need to be right-aligned for legibility:

prices = [4.25, 10.99, 1000.5, 3.75]
for p in prices:
  print(f"${p:>{10}}")  # To pay or not to pay, that is the question
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Handling long strings

Overflowing content? Python plans for that – no truncation, just lost alignment:

print(f"{'Python makes life easier':>15}")  # The string is not cut off like my cable tv
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String formatting is your aesthetic friend

In the realm of output strings, f-strings, & str.format() are not just tools, but paintbrushes:

from math import pi
print(f"Pi is approximately {pi:.2f}.")  # Serving precision on a silver platter
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