Python Boolean

# Example, Python boolean data type
is_holiday = True
is_holiday = False

type(is_holiday)

Truth values are represented by boolean data type. Python boolean values are True and False.

Both are built-in constant objects. They are case sensitive.

Do not write in lower case - true / false or all upper case - TRUE / FALSE. Its incorrect.

In python, bool are written as below.

variable = True
variable = False

Boolean True vs 1, boolean False vs 0

From Python 3.x onwards, boolean type is subtype of integer. It contains only two objects.

Why 1 /0 should not be used as True / False in python?

• Readability (What programer think Vs What is written in code).
• Safety (What is written Vs How it is referred later Vs How it is executed).
• Instead, Use data type conversion functions as per need.

Type

class 'bool'

There are 3 logical operators - or, and, not.

Logical operations are performed on

• boolean variables
• expression returning boolean result

# Example, say bool_x, bool_y are as below
bool_x = True
bool_y = False

Logical or Operator

result = bool_x or bool_y

Result is True, if any one is True. Else, result is False.

Note: y part (i.e. right side of or) is not executed if x part (i.e. left side of or) is True.

# Example, boolean or
result = bool_x or bool_y

Logical and Operator

result = bool_x and bool_y

Result is True, if both are True. Else, result is False.

Note: y part (i.e. right side of and) is not executed if x part (i.e. left side of and) is False.

# Example, boolean and
result = bool_x and bool_y

Logical not operator

result = not bool_x

Result is inverse. If input is True, result is False. If input is False, result is True.

It is used to inverse / negate / reverse / toggle / flip / switch boolean value.

Warning: Do not mix your understanding about Boolean Operator - not with Comparison Operator - is not/is.

# Example, reverse boolean value
holiday = False

if not holiday:
    print("I enjoy work.")

If variable is holding boolean value, recommended and easy approach to check its value is as below.

if bool_variable:
    # do stuff for True case
else:
    # do stuff for False case

# Example, check boolean value using if
is_holiday = True

# recommended 
if is_holiday:
    print("I enjoy holiday.")
else:
    print("I enjoy work.")

# not recommended
if is_holiday == True:
    print("I enjoy holiday.")

# not recommended
if is_holiday is False:
    print("I enjoy work.")

Using == True, == False for boolean

What is wrong in comparing boolean variable using == ?

According to Python PEP 8 Style Guide, it is recommended not to compare boolean values to True or False using ==

Rather ask yourself, isn't code more readable in above recommended approach?

Using is True, is False, is not True, is not False for boolean

It is recommended not to use "is" and "is not" operator for boolean value check.

If the condition is an expression (instead of simple bool_variable like above), you have to analyze all cases of its evaluation. Following questions are useful:

• Do you want complex expression checked?
• Are you trying to check if list/set is empty?
• Are you trying to check if list/set/variable defined? or Exists or not?
• Are you trying to check if any variable is None?
• OR are you trying to check if it is False?

# Example,
var_x = 1
var_y = 0.0

# Not recommended, numeric value turns 0
if var_x * var_y:
    print("Do stuff for True.")


# Not recommended, empty tuple() as boolean check
my_tuple = tuple()
if my_tuple:
    # What? Not sure, if this is for emptiness OR existence OR something else.
    print("Do stuff for True.")
else:
    print("Do stuff for False.")