Python: Evenly space output data with varying string lengths

Question

I am trying to get my output data to look like this:

-------------------------------------------------------
            Grade Report for Programs 
---------         


        

Answer 1

The answer I find easiest is just using some basic string arithmetic.

For example, say for want the aligned a variable 20 spaces ahead of left-alignment, in your case the "average" variable, you could simply do this

print(name_last_first + (' ' * (20-len(name_last_first))) + average
       + "<----" + grades)

It's just a bit lengthier, but the code is easier to interpret in my opinion.

(Note: this method only works with mono spaced fonts! But most Python output is defaulted to a MS font :-) )