Python Statements

What Are Statements?

A computer program is made up of a sequence of instructions that tell the computer what actions to perform. In programming languages, these instructions are known as statements.

In Python, a statement is a single line of code that performs a specific task. For example, a statement can display text on the screen, perform a calculation, or store data in a variable.

A simple statement that displays text looks like this:
"print("Programming with Python is enjoyable!")"

In Python, most statements automatically end at the end of a line. Unlike languages such as Java or C, Python does not require a semicolon to mark the end of a statement.

Using Multiple Statements

Most real-world Python programs contain many statements.

These statements are executed one after another, following the exact order in which they are written.

For example, consider the following set of instructions:
"print("Welcome to Python")"
"print("Today is a great day to learn")"
"print("Practice makes progress")"

Python will run the first instruction, then move to the second, and finally execute the third. Each statement waits for the previous one to finish before running.

How Execution Order Works

In the example above, Python processes the statements step by step.

First, it displays the welcome message.
Next, it prints the learning message.
Finally, it shows the last line on the screen.

This top-to-bottom execution order is an important concept to understand when writing Python programs.

Semicolons in Python (Optional and Rare)

Semicolons are allowed in Python, but they are rarely used. Python lets you place more than one statement on a single line if you separate them with a semicolon.

For example:
"print("Start"); print("Processing"); print("End")"

Although this works, it is generally avoided because it reduces readability.

If you try to write multiple statements on the same line without using a semicolon or a new line, Python will raise a syntax error.

An incorrect example would look like this:
"print("Python is simple") print("And powerful")"

Python cannot understand this format and will stop execution with an error.