By Israfil Islam – Python Developer & Tech Blogger
Whether you’re just starting out or already working on advanced projects, writing clean, efficient Python code is key to becoming a better developer. In this post, I’ll share 10 practical tips and tricks that have helped me write smarter code over the years.
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Let’s dive in!
1.Use List Comprehensions
Instead of writing loops to build lists, use this concise syntax:
 It’s faster and more readable.
2.Swap Variables Without a Temp Variable
Python makes swapping variables elegant:
No need for a temporary variable!
3.Use enumerate() Instead of range(len())
Loop with both index and value:
Cleaner than range(len(names)).
4.Use *args and **kwargs Smartly
They allow you to create flexible functions:
And with **kwargs for keyword arguments:
5.Use f-Strings for Formatting
Introduced in Python 3.6, f-strings are the best way to format strings:
6.Use zip() to Combine Lists
Combine multiple lists into pairs or tuples:
7.Use defaultdict for Cleaner Dict Logic
No more key errors with defaultdict:
8.Clean Up with Context Managers
Use with to manage file or resource cleanup:
No need to explicitly call f.close()!
9.Use Type Hints for Better Readability
They help editors, linters, and your teammates:
10.Bonus: Use rich for Pretty CLI Output
If you write command-line tools, use the rich library:
It’s great for logs, tables, and formatting.