What are docstrings in Python?

Docstrings are a way to document your Python code. They are strings that are placed at the beginning of a function, module, or class definition, and are used to provide a brief description of what the code does.

Here's an example of a function with a docstring:

def add(a, b):
    """
    This function adds two numbers and returns the result.
    """
    return a + b


In this example, the Docstring is a multi-line string that appears immediately after the function definition. It provides a brief explanation of what the function does.

You can access a Docstring using the __doc__ attribute of a function, module, or class. For example:

>>> print(add.__doc__)
This function adds two numbers and returns the result.


 Docstrings are often used to provide documentation for Python modules and packages, as well as for documenting the API of a library. They are also used by tools like Sphinx to generate automatic documentation for your code.

It's good practice to include docstrings in your code, as it makes it easier for others (and yourself) to understand what the code is doing. It's also a good idea to follow a standard format for docstrings, such as the one outlined in the Python Enhancement Proposal (PEP) 257.

Overall, docstrings are a useful tool for documenting your Python code and making it easier to understand and use.

 

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