Usage of Asterisks in Python


Python programming language uses both * and ** on different contexts. In this article we will see how these two are used and what the respective useful scenarios.

As an Infix Operator

When * is used as infix operator, it basically gives the mathematical product of numbers. IN the below example we take integers. Floats and complex numbers to multiply and get the results.

Example

 Live Demo

# Integers
x = 20
y = 10
z = x * y
print(z,"\n")

# Floats
x1 = 2.5
y1 = 5.1
z1 = x1 * y1
print(z1,"\n")

# Complex Numbers
x2 = 4 + 5j
y2 = 5 + 4j
z2 = x2 * y2
print(z2,"\n")

Output

Running the above code gives us the following result −

200
12.75
41j

We can also use it as infix operator to extend the strings.

Example

 Live Demo

str = "Point-"
print(str * 4,"\n")
List = [4, 5, 6]
print(List * 3,"\n")
Tuple = (9, 8, 7)
print(Tuple * 2)

Output

Running the above code gives us the following result −

Point-Point-Point-Point-
[4, 5, 6, 4, 5, 6, 4, 5, 6]
(9, 8, 7, 9, 8, 7)

As a Prefix Operator

We can use a single asterisk as a prefix. The below examples describe various examples of how we can use it as a prefix.

Expand an Iterable

An iterable like list or tuple can be expanded by just prefixing its name with an asterisk.

Example

 Live Demo

week_days =['Mon','Tue','Wed','Thu','Fri']
print(week_days)

Output

Running the above code gives us the following result −

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

Take Variable Number of Arguments

We can give variable number of arguments to a function using a single asterisk symbol. It is as shown in the below program.

Example

 Live Demo

def many_sums(*args):
   res = 0
   # Iterating over the Python args tuple
   for x in args:
   res = res + x
   return res
print(many_sums(1, 2))
print(many_sums(11, 21, 30))
print(many_sums(5.5,0))

Output

Running the above code gives us the following result −

3
62
5.5

Using **

The double asterisk is used for keyword based arguments. Here the argument is passed in as dictionary and not as individual values.

Example

 Live Demo

def join_keys(**kwargs):
   result = ""
   # Iterating over kwargs dictionary keys
   for arg in kwargs.keys():
   result += arg
   return result
def join_values(**kwargs):
   result = ""
   # Iterating over kwargs dictionary values
   for arg in kwargs.values():
   result += arg
   return result
print(join_keys(day1="Mon-", day2="Tue-", day3="Wed-", day4="Thu-"))
print(join_values(day1="Mon-", day2="Tue-", day3="Wed-", day4="Thu-"))

Output

Running the above code gives us the following result −

day1day2day3day4
Mon-Tue-Wed-Thu-

Updated on: 04-Feb-2020

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