Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
What is a Keyword?
3.
What is an Identifier?
4.
Difference between Keyword and Identifier
5.
Frequently Asked Questions
5.1.
How are keywords different from identifiers in Python?
5.2.
Is main an identifier or a keyword?
5.3.
What is the difference between identifier and variable?
5.4.
What is the difference between keywords and literals?
6.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024
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Difference between Keyword and Identifier

Author Shiva
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Introduction

Keywords are special words with predefined meanings in programming, while identifiers are names given to variables, classes, or functions in a program.

Keywords and identifiers together build the vocabulary for the programming language. Keywords are reserved words with specific meanings, while identifiers are names given to variables, labels, or classes in a program.

difference between keyword and identifier

Let’s learn about the difference between Keyword and Identifier in detail.

What is a Keyword?

A keyword is a reserved word that has a special meaning. It cannot be used as an identifier such as a variable or function name. These keywords are part of the language syntax and play a crucial role in defining the structure and logic of Python programs. They are used to convey specific instructions to the interpreter.

There are some examples of keywords in Python:

  • if: It is used for conditional statements.
     
  • else: It is used in conjunction with if to define alternative branches in conditional statements.
     
  • for: It is used for iterating over a sequence (such as a list or string).
     
  • while: It is used to create a loop that continues until a certain condition is met.
     
  • def: It is used to define a function.
     
  • class: It is used to define a class.
     
  • import: It is used to import modules or specific objects from modules.
     
  • return: It is used to specify the return value of a function.
     
  • True, or False: They represent boolean values.
     
  • and, or, not: They are used for logical operations.
     
  • try, except, finally: They are used for exception handling.

What is an Identifier?

An identifier is a name given to entities such as variables, functions, classes, modules, etc. It is used to uniquely identify these entities in the program.

They are some important points about identifiers in Python:

  • It can consist of letters (both uppercase and lowercase), digits, and underscores (_).
     
  • We cannot use a digit in starting. It must begin with a letter or an underscore(_).
     
  • Python is case-sensitive, so identifiers with different casing are treated as distinct.
     
  • It should follow naming conventions to enhance code readability. We can use lowercase letters for variables and functions. We can use capitalized words for classes.
     
  • Some examples of valid identifiers are counter, total_amount, calculate_average, and Ninja.
     
  • Some examples of invalid identifiers are 3ninjanames, if, and for.


Also see, Python Operator Precedence

Difference between Keyword and Identifier

Keyword

Identifier

Keywords are the reserved words with a special meaning. Identifiers are the user-defined names of variables, functions, etc.
They are written in lower case except for True, False, and None. Need not be written in lowercase.
It helps to identify a specific property that exists within Python. It identifies the name of the particular entity.
Contains only letters Contains letters, underscore, and digits.
Example:- or, raise, pass Example:- maxCount, minNum1, etc

Frequently Asked Questions

How are keywords different from identifiers in Python?

Keywords are reserved words with specific meanings in Python, while identifiers are user-defined names for variables, functions, etc., adhering to certain rules.

Is main an identifier or a keyword?

"main" can be an identifier if used as a user-defined name. It's not a keyword in Python.

What is the difference between identifier and variable?

An identifier is a name for entities, including variables. A variable is a storage location associated with a name to hold data during program execution.

What is the difference between keywords and literals?

Keywords are reserved words in Python, while literals represent fixed values like numbers or strings. Keywords convey instructions, whereas literals are actual data.

Conclusion

In this blog, we have discussed about the difference between keyword and identifier. Understanding the distinction between keywords and identifiers is crucial for Python developers. Keywords are reserved words with predefined meanings, shaping the language's syntax, while identifiers are user-defined names adhering to specific rules.

Don't stop here. Check out our Python guided path to learn Python from Scratch.

We hope you found this blog useful. Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

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