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Indexing and Slicing Python Strings

Accessing characters, whether they are single or multiple, is an essential skill for working with strings in any programming language. In Python, we do this by indexing and slicing the string. In this hands-on lab, we'll go through writing some code to demonstrate that we understand how to use indexing and slicing by printing out different pieces of information about a string back to the user. To feel comfortable completing this lab, you'll want to be familiar with the following: * Working with string literals: Watch the "Strings and String Operators" video from the Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer Certification course. * Indexing and slicing strings: Watch the "String Indexing and Slicing" video from the Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer Certification course. * Printing to the screen: Watch the videos from the "Input and Output Operations" section of the Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer Certification course.

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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Beginner
Duration
Clock icon 30m
Last updated
Clock icon Aug 18, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Create the string-info.py Script and Take User Input

    1. We want to be able to execute our script, so to begin create an empty script named string-info.py with a shebang and make it executable:

      $ echo '#!/usr/bin/env python3.7' > string-info.py
$ chmod +x string-info.py

    2. Create a script that asks for user input, store it as the message variable, and print a handful of lines to the screen. Let's take the user input now.

  2. Challenge

    Print the First, Last, and Middle Characters from the User's Input

    1. Print the first character from your string.
    2. Print the last character from your string.
    3. Print the middle characters from a string.

  3. Challenge

    Print the Even Index Characters and Odd Index Characters

    1. Print the even index characters of your string.
    2. Print the odd index characters of your string.

  4. Challenge

    Print the String in Reverse

    1. Reverse the order of your string and print it.
Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
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Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.
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