What is a Walrus Operator? Why must you have used it by now?

Recently, Python 3.8 added a new feature, which is Walrus Operator. Python is probably the most common coding programming language which is accessible by people right now. But what this added feature is going to serve you? This is the prime question that is hitting the minds of coders.

So, let us take a deep dive into the post and know about this latest update and Walrus Operator in detail.

What is a Walrus Operator?

Walrus operator is recently added as a new feature in Python 3.8. It offers two distinct ways to achieve the two different tasks simultaneously, such as assigning the value to the variable and returning the same value. In addition, it sometimes offers a way to write more readable, shorter code that may be highly computationally efficient.

This operator is known as the Walrus operator because the characteristic of the operator is to look similar to the walrus that see the colon as an equal sign and as eyes as it tusks. Most commonly, it is accessible as an assignment expression that allows you to assign multiple values to the variables, as discussed above.

The aim of adding this feature into the walrus operator is to consolidate the Boolean expression and consolidate the assignment statement when both the expression and assignment would be utilized in a similar statement. The basic purpose is to improve the working efficiency of the code.

Key Points to Be Noted Why Walrus is Essential These Days

• The symbol:= denotes walrus operator and recently added into the Python 3.8
• Walrus operator is useful only for the assignment of the variable to be added within another coding expression. This will help to save extra time and reduce the addition of one more line of code into the coding expression.
• Moreover, it can dramatically improve the speed of processing the extensive amount of data within no time.
• It can be used anywhere from functions to loops and to list comprehension as the statement needed to roundabout into the variable assignment.

New Walrus Operator Introduction Provides New Function Parameter Syntax

After adding the new feature of Walrus Operator in Python 3.8, the new function, which is parameter syntax / added that indicates that some of the essential parameters need specified position and can't be used as a keyword argument.

This, in turn, allow the pure Python functions to completely match the behavior of the existing C-coded functions. Function parameter syntax can also be used to preclude the keyword arguments when the actual parameter is not helpful.

The f-strings Now Have the a=specifier

With the introduction of the newly formatted f-strings in Python 3.6 with the PEP 498 and Walrus operator, you can easily evaluate the expression as the essential part of the string and insert the result of the functional calls.

Python 3.8 added a new a=specifier to the f-string for debugging and self-document expressions, which adds another reason to use the Walrus operator. Also, the f-string like f' {expr=}' will help to expand to the text of the expression after the addition of the equal sign. But, of course, this will change the representation of the evaluated expression too.

Advance PEP 587: C API added to Configure the Python Initialization

Python configuration seems to be scattered everywhere around the code. But after adding this new C API configuration in Python 3.8, it provides fine control, better reporting and better configuration. This also updated and add the (PyPreConfig type) and (PyConfig type) to the internal structures.

This becomes the new reference configuration and replacing the overall global configuration variable.

Conclusion

Walrus operator featuring Python allows the compound assignment expression. This will open up new possibilities for hosting other activities. The introduction of this operator comes to the fair share in Python. It is a simple tool in Python that can be used easily.