Day 6: Thinking input() returns an integer

 

🐍 Python Mistakes Everyone Makes ❌

Day 6: Thinking input() Returns an Integer

One of the most common beginner mistakes in Python is assuming that input() returns a number.
It doesn’t.

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❌ The Mistake

age = input("Enter your age: ")
print(age + 1)

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❌ Why this fails?

Because input() always returns a string, not an integer.

Python cannot add a number to a string, so this raises a TypeError.

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✅ The Correct Way

Convert the input explicitly to an integer.

age = int(input("Enter your age: "))
print(age + 1)

✔ input() → returns a string
✔ int() → converts it to an integer

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🧠 Simple Rule to Remember

• input() → always str

• Convert manually using int(), float(), etc.

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✅ Key Takeaway

Never assume user input is numeric.
Always convert and validate input before using it.