exec()

Execution

Executes dynamically created Python code. More powerful than eval but no return value.

Signature

exec(code, globals, locals)

Returns

None

Example

exec('x = 42')
code = '''
def greet(name):
    return f"Hello, {name}"
'''
exec(code)

About exec()

exec is a Python execution function with the signature exec(code, globals, locals). Executes dynamically created Python code. More powerful than eval but no return value. It returns a value of type None.

Python provides a rich set of built-in functions and standard library modules that cover common programming tasks. Understanding these functions helps you write more idiomatic, efficient Python code. The execfunction is commonly used in data processing, web development, scripting, and automation tasks.

When working with exec(), consider edge cases like empty inputs, None values, and type mismatches. Python's duck typing means many built-in functions work with any object that implements the required protocol (e.g., __len__ for len(), __iter__ for iteration). This flexibility is a key strength of Python's design philosophy.

Related Functions

eval()compile()globals()locals()