Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/4-1-2-whitespace

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [Coding](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding.md) › [National Curriculum](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum.md) › Whitespace

# Whitespace

Coding: Introduction to Python v3, topic 4.1.2

## Whitespace

Whitespace is key to Python, since it is used to separate blocks of code.

### Indentation

![Indentation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/95d17dd9-261f-4238-9065-f411ea8c7210/code-Data-Computer-Wifi-Internet.jpg)

- Indentation is necessary in Python to control program flow.
- Even in languages where it is optional, it is best practice since it makes code more readable.

### Blank lines

![Blank lines](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/178d1db7-42b2-4c46-8b41-ab363455de22/code-on-laptop.jpeg)

- Sometimes blank lines can be used to make code more readable.
- In Python, the guidelines are:
 - Subroutines should be separated by two blank lines.
 - Blank lines can be used sparingly in subroutines to show sections of the subroutine.
 - Other lines of code should not have blank space around them.

## Test yourself on Whitespace

- Why is it always a good idea to use indentation?
- Can blank lines be used within subroutines?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/72d0364c-db0a-4630-8e0a-61f48cae0252/section/ccddc7e5-3af8-4f7e-abc2-fccda427d4f0/session)

- Previous topic: [4.1.1 Identifiers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/4-1-1-identifiers.md)
- Next topic: [4.2.1 Comments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/4-2-1-comments.md)

## Coding: Introduction to Python v3 contents

### 1 Introduction to Python
- 1.1 Python
  - [1.1.1 Python](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/1-1-1-python.md)
- 1.2 Input & Output
  - [1.2.1 Input & Output](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/1-2-1-input-and-output.md)
- 1.3 Data Types
  - [1.3.1 Data Types](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/1-3-1-data-types.md)
- 1.4 Variables & Constants
  - [1.4.1 Variables & Constants](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/1-4-1-variables-and-constants.md)
- 1.5 Operators
  - [1.5.1 Arithmetic & Relational Operators](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/1-5-1-arithmetic-and-relational-operators.md)
  - [1.5.2 Boolean & Assignment Operators 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/1-5-2-boolean-and-assignment-operators-2.md)
- 1.6 Program Flow
  - [1.6.1 Selection](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/1-6-1-selection.md)
  - [1.6.2 Iteration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/1-6-2-iteration.md)

### 2 Data Structures
- 2.1 Lists & Strings
  - [2.1.1 Lists](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/2-1-1-lists.md)
  - [2.1.2 Strings](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/2-1-2-strings.md)
- 2.2 File Handling
  - [2.2.1 File Handling](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/2-2-1-file-handling.md)

### 3 Modularity
- 3.1 Subroutines
  - [3.1.1 Subroutines](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/3-1-1-subroutines.md)
- 3.2 Data Flow
  - [3.2.1 Data Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/3-2-1-data-flow.md)

### 4 Good Practice
- 4.1 Naming & Whitespace
  - [4.1.1 Identifiers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/4-1-1-identifiers.md)
  - [4.1.2 Whitespace](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/4-1-2-whitespace.md)
- 4.2 Comments
  - [4.2.1 Comments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/4-2-1-comments.md)
- 4.3 Exceptions
  - [4.3.1 Exceptions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/coding/national-curriculum/4-3-1-exceptions.md)