Python is a leading programming language for its useful functions and potential for machine learning and data analysis.
One of its helpful functions is the ord().
This tutorial provides the knowledge you need to understand how the Python ord() function works with program examples.
What is ord in Python?
ord() is one of Python’s built-in functions and is used to return the number with the Unicode code of a specific character. ord() function accepts a string (of length 1) as its argument and returns its Unicode representation.
In simple words, the ord() function returns a number indicating the character’s Unicode code point.
This is performed if the argument is a Unicode object or if the byte value in the argument is an 8-bit string.
Python ord() Syntax
Python programming has its unique syntax when creating projects.
As for the ord() function, its syntax s the following:
ord(ch)ord() in Python Parameters
Python ord() function takes the ch (Unicode character) as its parameters.
Python ord() Function Example
Let us have example programs demonstrating the ord() function.
This will show you how the ord() function implements its method in programs.
Example 1: ord() function demo
a = ord("X")
b = ord('X')
print (a, b)Output:
88 88
Code Explanation:
Example program 1 shows two different declarations of string X.
This highlights the fact that whether the string is within a single quote (‘) or double (“), the ord()function will still return its Unicode code.
To explain the Unicode code and its purpose, it is a character set with unique decimal numbers or code points.
It is used to provide the foundation for processing, storing, and exchanging text data in Python language across all modern software and information technology protocols.
Example 2: ord() raising error
a = ord("XY")
print (a)Output:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "main.py", line 1, in <module>
a = ord("XY")
TypeError: ord() expected a character, but string of length 2 found
Code Explanation:
Example 2 shows the possible output if we declare more than 1 character in the argument.
The explanation above stated that the Python ord() function only accepts a single (1) character string.
Therefore the program displays an error stating “ord() expected a character, but string of length 2 found“.
This explains that the function does not support more than 1 character length.
What does ord() do in Python?
ord() function is under Python’s command line and it stands for the ordinal of one character.
Basically, the ord() function takes a single character and returns its corresponding code points (Unicode code).
Therefore, programmers apply the ord function in their projects to know the Unicode code of certain characters.
You can also start learning the opposite function of ord(), the chr().
How to use ord() and chr() in Python?
The Python ord() and chr() are functions that deal with exactly one (1) character.
The ord() function returns the Unicode code of a single string character, while the chr() function does the opposite.
In simple words, Python chr() returns the corresponding character value of an integer or number.
For example:
a = ord("X")
b = chr(88)
print(a)
print(b)Output:
88 X
The example shows how to apply the chr() and ord() functions in actual programs.
It also displays how both functions work with the characters.
In other words, the ord() and chr() functions work similarly but with opposite purposes.
How to use the ord() function in Python?
To use the ord() function in programs, simply use the ord() syntax and state a single character in the argument.
Remember that the ord() function only applies to single-length characters, otherwise, it will raise a ValueError exception.
This concept also applies to the Python chr() function.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Python ord() function is understood as a method of calling the Unicode code (code point) of a single character.
Furthermore, this function can provide definite information on the foundation for processing, storing, and exchanging data values.
This is useful for converting characters to their standard number value.
You can also check Inconsistent Indentation Python with Example.