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How to Continue Code on Next Line in Python?

Published in Python Programming 2 mins read

You can continue code on the next line in Python using explicit or implicit line continuation.

Explicit Line Continuation

Explicit line continuation uses the backslash character (\) at the end of a line. This tells the Python interpreter to treat the next line as a continuation of the current one.

long_string = "This is a very long string that \
spans multiple lines for readability."

result = 1 + 2 + 3 + \
         4 + 5 + 6
print(long_string)
print(result)

In the example above:

  • The backslash allows the long string to be defined over multiple lines.
  • The arithmetic expression is split across multiple lines for improved readability. Indentation on the continuation line is ignored by the interpreter, but is highly recommended for clarity.

Implicit Line Continuation

Implicit line continuation occurs inside parentheses (), square brackets [], or curly braces {}. In these cases, you don't need a backslash.

my_list = [
    1, 2, 3,
    4, 5, 6
]

my_tuple = (
    "apple",
    "banana",
    "cherry"
)

my_dict = {
    "key1": "value1",
    "key2": "value2"
}

print(my_list)
print(my_tuple)
print(my_dict)

In these examples, the code within the brackets, parentheses, and curly braces automatically continues to the next line without needing a backslash. This approach is generally preferred for readability within data structures.

Choosing the Right Approach

  • Use explicit line continuation (backslash) for general statements and expressions where you want to break a line for readability (e.g., long arithmetic expressions or string concatenations).
  • Use implicit line continuation (parentheses, brackets, or braces) when working with data structures like lists, tuples, and dictionaries. This enhances readability and is generally considered more Pythonic.

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