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Data Types in Python

bookComparing Strings

String comparisons in Python are case-sensitive by default. If user input may vary in capitalization or include extra spaces, normalize first, then compare. A simple and reliable recipe is to trim whitespace and standardize case before any equality or prefix/suffix checks.

Case-Sensitive vs Case-Insensitive

By default, "Apple" == "apple" is False. To ignore case, normalize both sides.


              
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# Comparing two email addresses entered with different letter cases
email_saved = "Support@Codefinity.com"
email_entered = "support@codefinity.COM"

print(email_saved.lower() == email_entered.lower())  # True β†’ emails match regardless of case
copy

casefold() is a stronger, international-friendly variant of lower() and is a better default for case-insensitive comparisons.


              
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# Comparing international usernames regardless of letter case
username_db = "straße"
username_input = "STRASSE"

print(username_db.casefold() == username_input.casefold())  # True β†’ matches even with special characters
copy

Trim and Compare

Users often add spaces by accident. Remove leading and trailing whitespace before comparing.


              
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# Validating a user's role input from a form
user_input = "  admin  "
required_role = "ADMIN"

print(user_input.strip().casefold() == required_role.casefold())  # True β†’ matches after cleanup and case normalization
copy

Prefix and Suffix Checks

Use startswith and endswith. For case-insensitive checks, normalize first.


              
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# Checking if the uploaded document has the correct format and name
uploaded_file = "Report_Final.PDF"

# Validate file type (case-insensitive)
print(uploaded_file.lower().endswith(".pdf"))  # True β†’ valid PDF file

# Validate file name prefix (e.g., all reports start with "rep")
required_prefix = "rep"
print(uploaded_file.strip().casefold().startswith(required_prefix.casefold()))  # True β†’ matches prefix ignoring case
copy

Consistent Normalization Pipeline

Pick a simple, repeatable order:

  1. Strip outer whitespace with .strip();
  2. Standardize case with .casefold() (or .lower() if you prefer);
  3. Then use ==, in, startswith, endswith, or other checks.

1. Which line performs a case-insensitive equality check correctly?

2. Given s = " Hello ", which expression returns True for a case-insensitive equality check with "hello" ignoring surrounding spaces?

3. Which statement is most accurate for robust case-insensitive comparison?

question mark

Which line performs a case-insensitive equality check correctly?

Select the correct answer

question mark

Given s = " Hello ", which expression returns True for a case-insensitive equality check with "hello" ignoring surrounding spaces?

Select the correct answer

question mark

Which statement is most accurate for robust case-insensitive comparison?

Select the correct answer

Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

SectionΒ 4. ChapterΒ 2

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bookComparing Strings

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String comparisons in Python are case-sensitive by default. If user input may vary in capitalization or include extra spaces, normalize first, then compare. A simple and reliable recipe is to trim whitespace and standardize case before any equality or prefix/suffix checks.

Case-Sensitive vs Case-Insensitive

By default, "Apple" == "apple" is False. To ignore case, normalize both sides.


              
12345

            
# Comparing two email addresses entered with different letter cases
email_saved = "Support@Codefinity.com"
email_entered = "support@codefinity.COM"

print(email_saved.lower() == email_entered.lower())  # True β†’ emails match regardless of case
copy

casefold() is a stronger, international-friendly variant of lower() and is a better default for case-insensitive comparisons.


              
12345

            
# Comparing international usernames regardless of letter case
username_db = "straße"
username_input = "STRASSE"

print(username_db.casefold() == username_input.casefold())  # True β†’ matches even with special characters
copy

Trim and Compare

Users often add spaces by accident. Remove leading and trailing whitespace before comparing.


              
12345

            
# Validating a user's role input from a form
user_input = "  admin  "
required_role = "ADMIN"

print(user_input.strip().casefold() == required_role.casefold())  # True β†’ matches after cleanup and case normalization
copy

Prefix and Suffix Checks

Use startswith and endswith. For case-insensitive checks, normalize first.


              
123456789

            
# Checking if the uploaded document has the correct format and name
uploaded_file = "Report_Final.PDF"

# Validate file type (case-insensitive)
print(uploaded_file.lower().endswith(".pdf"))  # True β†’ valid PDF file

# Validate file name prefix (e.g., all reports start with "rep")
required_prefix = "rep"
print(uploaded_file.strip().casefold().startswith(required_prefix.casefold()))  # True β†’ matches prefix ignoring case
copy

Consistent Normalization Pipeline

Pick a simple, repeatable order:

  1. Strip outer whitespace with .strip();
  2. Standardize case with .casefold() (or .lower() if you prefer);
  3. Then use ==, in, startswith, endswith, or other checks.

1. Which line performs a case-insensitive equality check correctly?

2. Given s = " Hello ", which expression returns True for a case-insensitive equality check with "hello" ignoring surrounding spaces?

3. Which statement is most accurate for robust case-insensitive comparison?

question mark

Which line performs a case-insensitive equality check correctly?

Select the correct answer

question mark

Given s = " Hello ", which expression returns True for a case-insensitive equality check with "hello" ignoring surrounding spaces?

Select the correct answer

question mark

Which statement is most accurate for robust case-insensitive comparison?

Select the correct answer

Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

SectionΒ 4. ChapterΒ 2
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