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(python2.1-ref.info)String conversions

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String conversions
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A string conversion is an expression list enclosed in reverse (a.k.a.
backward) quotes:

     string_conversion: "`" expression_list "`"

A string conversion evaluates the contained expression list and
converts the resulting object into a string according to rules specific
to its type.

If the object is a string, a number, `None', or a tuple, list or
dictionary containing only objects whose type is one of these, the
resulting string is a valid Python expression which can be passed to
the built-in function `eval()' to yield an expression with the same
value (or an approximation, if floating point numbers are involved).

(In particular, converting a string adds quotes around it and converts
"funny" characters to escape sequences that are safe to print.)

It is illegal to attempt to convert recursive objects (e.g., lists or
dictionaries that contain a reference to themselves, directly or
indirectly.)

The built-in function `repr()' performs exactly the same conversion in
its argument as enclosing it in parentheses and reverse quotes does.
The built-in function `str()' performs a similar but more user-friendly
conversion.