10 Python Shortcuts That Make Me Code Like a Wizard 🧙‍♂️🐍

Write less, do more — Python style!

10 Python Shortcuts That Make Me Code Like a Wizard 🧙‍♂️🐍

There’s something magical about writing clean, elegant Python code. When your fingers glide over the keyboard and your scripts come together effortlessly, it feels like casting spells.

Over the years, I’ve collected a handful of Python tricks and shortcuts that have dramatically boosted my coding speed, clarity, and confidence. These aren’t just party tricks — they’re practical tools I use daily.

Here are 10 Python shortcuts that make me code like a wizard — and they might just level up your powers too.

1. Multiple Variable Assignment

Why write three lines when you can write one?

a, b, c = 1, 2, 3

This allows for quick assignment and cleaner code, especially useful when dealing with unpacked values or swapping variables:

x, y = y, x  # Swaps values without a temp variable

2. List Comprehensions for the Win

Forget for loops for simple list transformations — list comprehensions are fast, readable, and elegant.

squares = [x**2 for x in range(10)]

Bonus magic: Add a condition.

evens = [x for x in range(20) if x % 2 == 0]

3. Dictionary Comprehensions

Not just lists — dictionaries want in on the action too.

word_lengths = {word: len(word) for word in ['python', 'wizard', 'magic']}

You’ll look and feel like a data sorcerer with just one line.

4. The Underscore _ as a Throwaway Variable

When you need a loop but don’t care about the iterator:

for _ in range(5): 
    cast_spell()

Also useful in REPL (like IPython or the Python shell) to refer to the result of the last operation:

>>> 5 + 5 
10 
>>> _ * 2 
20

5. Using zip() Like a Boss

zip() is your friend when working with parallel lists.

names = ['Harry', 'Hermione', 'Ron'] 
houses = ['Gryffindor', 'Gryffindor', 'Gryffindor'] 
 
hogwarts = dict(zip(names, houses))

It’s clean, powerful, and looks very intentional.

6. F-Strings: The Modern Spell for Formatting

Ditch .format() and % for something that's readable and efficient:

name = "Pythonista" 
level = 10 
print(f"{name} has reached level {level}!")

Bonus: You can even do inline expressions.

print(f"Next level in {100 - 76} XP.")

7. Ternary Conditional Expressions

Why take up four lines for a simple condition?

status = "online" if user.is_active else "offline"

It’s like a one-line incantation.

8. Using any() and all() for Clean Logic

Instead of writing messy if statements, use any() or all() for clarity.

# Check if any score is above 90 
high_scores = [88, 92, 79, 85] 
if any(score > 90 for score in high_scores): 
    print("Someone crushed it!") 
 
# Check if all passwords are strong 
passwords = ['abc123!', 'Xyz789!', 'Secure1!'] 
if all(len(pw) >= 6 for pw in passwords): 
    print("All passwords meet the length criteria.")

9. Enumerate Like You Mean It

Looping through a list and needing the index? Don’t mess around:

for i, item in enumerate(['wand', 'cloak', 'stone']): 
    print(f"{i + 1}. {item}")

No need to track a separate counter — enumerate() has your back.

10. Get Default Values with dict.get()

Accessing dictionaries safely, like a true wizard:

user = {'name': 'Dumbledore'} 
age = user.get('age', 'Unknown')  # Returns 'Unknown' instead of KeyError

Simple, elegant, and safer than brute-forcing with dict['key'].

Final Thoughts: Coding Is Craft

Coding isn’t just about solving problems — it’s about solving them beautifully. These Python shortcuts aren’t just time-savers; they help you think in a more expressive, Pythonic way.

Once you internalize these patterns, you’ll write cleaner code, debug less, and probably feel a little more powerful every time you hit “run.”

Happy coding, and may your scripts be bug-free and your coffee strong ☕🐍

🧙‍♂️ Got your own Python shortcuts? Share them in the comments — we’re all apprentices in this craft.