Python String find() Method

Learn via video course
FREE
View all courses
Python Course for Beginners With Certification: Mastering the Essentials
Python Course for Beginners With Certification: Mastering the Essentials
by Rahul Janghu
1000
4.90
Start Learning
Python Course for Beginners With Certification: Mastering the Essentials
Python Course for Beginners With Certification: Mastering the Essentials
by Rahul Janghu
1000
4.90
Start Learning
Topics Covered

find() is a Python library function used to find the index of the first occurrence of a substring from the given string. If find() cannot locate the substring, it returns -1 instead of throwing an exception.

Working of Python String find() method

The Find Function in Python follows a straightforward logic to search for a substring within a given string. Below are the critical aspects of how this method operates:

  • The find() method starts searching for the specified substring from the beginning of the string (or the selected start index).
  • It examines each character in the string to see if it matches the first character of the substring.
  • If a match is found, the method checks the subsequent characters in the string and the substring until the entire substring is verified.
  • If the entire substring is found, the method returns the lowest index of the first character of the substring. If the substring is not found, it returns -1.

Examples of Python String find() method

Transform Your Career

Choose from our industry-leading programs designed for career success

NSDC Certified

Modern Software and AI Engineering Program

Master full-stack development with AI integration

12 MonthsDuration
AI-LedCurriculum
Career SupportSupport
GoogleAmazonPaytm+1000 more
Go to Program
NSDC Certified

Modern Data Science and ML with specialisation in AI

Advanced data science techniques with AI specialization

12 MonthsDuration
AI-LedCurriculum
Career SupportSupport
GoogleAmazonPaytm+1000 more
Go to Program
NSDC Certified

Advanced AIML with Specialisation in Agentic AI

Deep dive into AIML with focus on Agentic systems

12 MonthsDuration
AI-LedCurriculum
Career SupportSupport
GoogleAmazonPaytm+1000 more
Go to Program
NSDC Certified

DevOps, Cloud & AI Platform Engineering

Build and manage AI-powered cloud infrastructure

12 MonthsDuration
AI-LedCurriculum
Career SupportSupport
GoogleAmazonPaytm+1000 more
Go to Program
NSDC Certified

AI Engineering Advanced Certification by IIT-Roorkee

Premier AI engineering certification from IIT-Roorkee

3 MonthsDuration
AI-LedCurriculum
Career SupportSupport
Program highlights
Go to Program

a) find() With No start and end Argument

Output:

Here, we created a variable str containing a sentence and then called find() on str and gave it 'python' as an argument. So, find() will search for 'python' in str and return the index of its first occurrence in str.

When start and end arguments are not given, then find() starts to look from the beginning and searches till the end of the string.

Output:

Their default values are used if you do not pass start and end arguments. The default value of the start is 0, and the end is length of the string.

b) find() With start and end Arguments

Output

start and end arguments set a range and find() searches for the substring only in that range.

'interests' comes at 16th position, which is between 10 and 30, so for the first print(), the output is 16, and for the second it is -1 as 'interests' is not present between 30 and 40.

Syntax of Python String find() method

  • string is the original sentence/word where you want to look for the substring.

Turn Learning into Career Growth

1200+Hiring Partners
89%Placement Rate
11,000+Placements
147%Avg Salary Increment
2.5XCareer Growth
₹23 LPAAvg Post-Scaler Salary
1200+Hiring Partners
89%Placement Rate
11,000+Placements
147%Avg Salary Increment
2.5XCareer Growth
₹23 LPAAvg Post-Scaler Salary

Parameter of Python String find() method

The Find Function in Python has optional parameters that allow developers to customize the search process. Here's an explanation of each parameter:

  • substring is the sentence/word you must search for.
  • start and end are optional parameters. They specify the range where the substring needs to be searched.

Return value of Python String find() method

  • If the substring exists in the string, it will return the index of the first occurrence of substring.
  • If the substring does not exist, it will return -1.

Exceptions of Python String find() method

Certainly! The Find Function in Python is a powerful tool for string manipulation, but it's essential to be aware of potential exceptions.

  • The find() method raises a ValueError if the provided start or end parameter is not an integer.
  • Another common exception is TypeError, which occurs if the find() method is called with an incorrect number of arguments.
  • If the find() method is called on a variable that is None (indicating the absence of an object), it will result in an AttributeError.

Conclusion

  • Find Function in Python returns the first occurrence of the substring in the given string. It will return -1 if the substring is not present.
  • Find Function in Python takes 3 parameters: substring, start, end. The start and end are optional.
  • start and end are helpful when searching for a substring at some specific position inside a string.
  • index() is also a similar function, but it will throw a Value Error if the substring is not found.

Scaler Placement Report and Statistics

₹23L
AVG CTC
SCALER PLACEMENT PROOF

Scaler learners achieved 2.5x salary growth with average post-Scaler CTC reaching ₹23L.

11,000+placements
650+companies
Verified data

See Also:

Hiring Partners:
GoogleGoogleAmazonAmazonMicrosoftMicrosoftFlipkartFlipkartAdobeAdobe1200+ more