Beginning Python: Python Encodings

The mapping of "0x40" for the letter "g" is called an encoding. The value is encoded as the letter. Depending on the encoding, "0x40" could be the letter "g" (as in many North American and European encodings) or the Bangladeshi "ل" or the Georgian "პ".

For multilingual encoding, Python uses Unicode. Unicode is a system that provides a unique number for every character of a language, no matter what the language.

In order to print a Unicode character, Python requires you to do two things:

1. Define the character string to be printed as Unicode, and
2. Declare the type of encoding you would like Python to use in the output.

• The Reason for Encodings in Python
• How to Work with Unicode in Python
• Python's Way of Defining a Unicode String
• How Python Prints Unicode
• Python's Way of Encoding Unicode Strings "En Passant"
• Encoding ASCII as Unicode with Python
• Python Makes ASCII "Hello" Read as "Hello" in Unicode