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(python2.1-tut.info)An Informal Introduction to Python

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An Informal Introduction to Python
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In the following examples, input and output are distinguished by the
presence or absence of prompts (`>`>'>~' and `...~'): to repeat the
example, you must type everything after the prompt, when the prompt
appears; lines that do not begin with a prompt are output from the
interpreter. Note that a secondary prompt on a line by itself in an
example means you must type a blank line; this is used to end a
multi-line command.

Many of the examples in this manual, even those entered at the
interactive prompt, include comments.  Comments in Python start with
the hash character, `#', and extend to the end of the physical line.  A
comment may appear at the start of a line or following whitespace or
code, but not within a string literal.  A hash character within a
string literal is just a hash character.

Some examples:

     # this is the first comment
     SPAM = 1                 # and this is the second comment
                              # ... and now a third!
     STRING = "# This is not a comment."

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