In this article, we will discuss how to make a simple calculator using Python.

Python Program to Make a Simple Calculator

Python is a versatile programming language that can create various applications, including calculators. The Python program to make a simple calculator is straightforward and requires only a few lines of code.

To make a simple calculator in Python, we will use the basic arithmetic operators, such as addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (*), and division (/). We will also use some built-in functions, such as input() and print(), to take input from the user and display the output on the screen.

Here is the Python program to make a simple calculator:

				
					# Python program to make a simple calculator

# Function to add two numbers
def add(x, y):
   return x + y

# Function to subtract two numbers
def subtract(x, y):
   return x - y

# Function to multiply two numbers
def multiply(x, y):
   return x * y

# Function to divide two numbers
def divide(x, y):
   return x / y

# Take input from the user
print("Select operation.")
print("1.Add")
print("2.Subtract")
print("3.Multiply")
print("4.Divide")

choice = input("Enter choice(1/2/3/4):")

num1 = int(input("Enter first number: "))
num2 = int(input("Enter second number: "))

if choice == '1':
   print(num1,"+",num2,"=", add(num1,num2))

elif choice == '2':
   print(num1,"-",num2,"=", subtract(num1,num2))

elif choice == '3':
   print(num1,"*",num2,"=", multiply(num1,num2))

elif choice == '4':
   print(num1,"/",num2,"=", divide(num1,num2))
else:
   print("Invalid input")

The above program is a basic calculator that performs addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division operations. It takes input from the user and displays the output on the screen.

How to create a Python program to make a simple calculator:

To create a Python program to make a simple calculator, we need to follow these simple steps:

  1. Define functions for basic arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
  2. Take input from the user to choose the operation and the operands.
  3. Use if-else statements to perform the selected operation.
  4. Display the output on the screen.

Explaining the Python program to make a simple calculator step by step

Step 1: Defining functions for basic arithmetic operations

The first step in creating a calculator program in Python is to define the basic arithmetic operations as functions. We define four functions addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The functions take two arguments: the operands to be used in operation.

Step 2: Taking input from the user

After defining the functions, we need input from the user to choose the operation to be performed and the operands. We use the input() function to take input from the user. Our program displays a menu of operations using the print() function and asks the user to enter their choice.

Step 3: Performing the selected operation

Once the user selects the operation and enters the operands, we use if-else statements to perform the selected operation. We call the corresponding function based on the user’s choice and pass the operands as arguments to the function.

Step 4: Displaying the output on the screen

Finally, we display the output on the screen using the print() function.

Common errors encountered while making a simple calculator in Python:

  1. Invalid input: If the user enters an invalid input for the choice of operation, the program may crash. We must add an error handling code to the program to avoid this.
  2. Division by zero: The program will crash if the user enters 0 as the second operand for the division operation. To handle this error, we can add an if statement to check if the second operand is zero before performing the division operation.
  3. Type error: The program may crash if the user enters a non-integer value for the operands. We can add an error handling code to the program to avoid this.

Tips and tricks to make a simple calculator in Python more efficient:

  1. Use list comprehension: List comprehension is a powerful feature of Python that allows you to create lists in a single line of code. You can use list comprehension to create a list of numbers to perform operations on instead of using separate input statements for each number.
  2. Use lambda functions: Lambda functions are small anonymous functions that can be used to perform simple operations. You can use lambda functions to define the basic arithmetic operations in a single line of code.
  3. Use error handling: Error handling is a crucial part of any program, and it can help prevent the program from crashing due to invalid input or unexpected errors. You can use try-except blocks to handle errors in your program.

Wrap up

The Python program to make a simple calculator is a basic program that can be created using only a few lines of code. It is an excellent way to learn Python programming basics and is also helpful in performing simple arithmetic calculations. With a bit of creativity, you can modify the program to include more advanced operations or make it more efficient.


Thanks for reading. Happy coding!