F-strings vs. str.format(): Are f-strings Really Faster and Is str.format() Going Away?

F-strings vs. str.format(): Performance Considerations and Deprecation Myths

Python's str.format() method has long been the go-to for formatting strings. However, the introduction of f-strings in Python 3.6 raised questions about the fate of str.format().

Deprecation Myth

Contrary to popular belief, str.format() is not scheduled for deprecation. The PEP that introduced f-strings explicitly states that it does not aim to remove or deprecate existing string formatting mechanisms.

Performance Comparison

While f-strings offer a simpler syntax, some have questioned whether they sacrifice performance. Surprisingly, benchmarks show that f-strings routinely outperform their str.format() counterparts. This is likely due to the optimized implementation behind f-strings.

Case-by-Case Decisions

While f-strings may be the preferred choice in most cases, there are scenarios where str.format() might be more suitable. For example, when formatting nested data structures or handling special characters.

Conclusion

F-strings offer a user-friendly and performant alternative to str.format(). They are not intended to replace str.format() entirely, providing developers with a choice based on the specific needs of their code. Both str.format() and f-strings will co-exist for the foreseeable future, giving developers flexibility in their string formatting approaches.

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