Python: Logical operators

• and
• or

We already know how to write functions that check single conditions. And in this lesson we will learn how to build compound conditions.

Suppose that the registration site requires that the password be longer than eight characters and shorter than twenty. In mathematics we would write 8 < x < 20, but in many programming languages we cannot do that. Let's try to write two separate logical expressions and connect them with the special operator "AND":

Password is longer than 8 characters And password is shorter than 20 characters

Here is a function that takes the password and tells you whether it meets the conditions (True) or not (False):

def is_correct_password(password):
    length = len(password)
    return length > 8 and length < 20

print(is_correct_password('qwerty'))                   # => False
print(is_correct_password('qwerty1234'))               # => True
print(is_correct_password('zxcvbnmasdfghjkqwertyui'))  # => False

and' means "AND. In mathematical logic this is called a conjunction. The whole expression is true if every **operand** - each of the compound expressions - is true. In other words,and' means both. The priority of this operator is lower than that of comparison operators. Therefore, the expression length > 8 and length < 20 works correctly without brackets.

In addition to and, the operator "OR" (disjunction) - is often used. It means "either or both". The expression `a or b' is true if at least one of the operands or all of them simultaneously are true. Otherwise, the expression is false.

Operators can be combined in any number and in any sequence. If and and or occur simultaneously in the code, the priority is given by parentheses. Below is an example of an extended function that determines the correctness of a password:

def has_special_chars(str):
    # Checks the content of special characters in the string


def is_strong_password(password):
    length = len(password)
    # The brackets set the priority. It is clear what relates to what.
    return (length > 8 and length < 20) and has_special_chars(password)

Now let's imagine that we want to buy an apartment that meets these conditions: an area of 100 square meters or more on any street OR an area of 80 square meters or more, but on Main Street.

Let's write a function that will check the apartment. It takes two arguments: the area is a number and the street name is a string:

def is_good_apartment(area, street):
    return area >= 100 or (area >= 80 and street == 'Main Street')

print(is_good_apartment(91, 'Queens Street'))  # => False
print(is_good_apartment(78, 'Queens Street'))  # => False
print(is_good_apartment(70, 'Main Street'))    # => False

print(is_good_apartment(120, 'Queens Street'))  # => True
print(is_good_apartment(120, 'Main Street'))    # => True
print(is_good_apartment(80, 'Main Street'))     # => True

The area of mathematics in which logical operators are studied is called Boolean algebra. Below you will see true tables - you can use them to determine what the result will be if you apply the operator:

and

or

Instructions

Implement a method is_leap_year() that determines whether a year is a leap year or not. A year will be a leap year if it is a multiple of 400 (i.e. divisible without a remainder), or if it is both a multiple of 4 and not a multiple of 100. As you can see, the definition already contains all the necessary logic, all we need to do is to translate it into code:

is_leap_year(2018) # false
is_leap_year(2017) # false
is_leap_year(2016) # true

The multiplicity can be checked as follows:

# % - returns the remainder of the left operand divided by the right operand
# Check that the number is a multiple of 10
number % 10 == 0

# Check that the number is not a multiple of 10
number % 10 != 0

Tips

• Boolean algebra

• Logical conjunction

• Logical disjunction

Definitions

• Logical operators. the AND (and), OR (or) operators, which allow you to create compound logical conditions.