What does %s mean in a Python format string?

The % symbol is used in Python with a large variety of data types and configurations. %s specifically is used to perform concatenation of strings together. It allows us to format a value inside a string. It is used to incorporate another string within a string. It automatically provides type conversion from value to string. 

The %s operator is put where the string is to be specified. The number of values you want to append to a string should be equivalent to the number specified in parentheses after the % operator at the end of the string value. 

The following Python code illustrates the way of performing string formatting. 

Simple use of %s

Output

Hey, Geek!

Multiple %s

Multiple strings can also be appended within a single string using the %s operator. The strings are replaced in the order of their position in the brackets, wherever there is an %s sign. This is illustrated using the following code snippet :

Output

Hello Geek! Are you enjoying being at Geeks for Geeks for preparations.

Mapping strings to %s

However, the number of occurrences of this operator must be equal to the number of strings to replace with after the % sign. Otherwise, an error of the type “TypeError: not enough arguments for format string” is thrown.

Error

Traceback (most recent call last):

  File “/home/c7b65fabd2ad00163eba70bbc39685d3.py”, line 8, in <module>

    final_str = “%s %s %s %s” % (str1, str3, str4)

TypeError: not enough arguments for format string

Correct Code

Output

Concatenating multiple strings using Python '%s' operator:

Understanding %s at GeeksforGeeks

Order %s using dictionary

The strings are printed in whatever order they are appended using the dictionary key in output.

Output

Concatenating multiple strings using Python '%s' operator:

Understanding %s at GeeksforGeeks

List as a string for %s

A non-string operator can also be formatted using the %s symbol in Python. Tuples can also be both inserted and formatted using this operator. 

Output

Concatenating multiple values using Python '%s' operator:

Understanding integers at GeeksforGeeks =  [1, 2, 3]