Python | Padding a string upto fixed length

In Python, you can pad a string to a fixed length using several methods. Here are some of the most common methods to pad a string:

Using str.ljust() and str.rjust():
- ljust(): Left justifies the string and pads with specified character (default is space).
- rjust(): Right justifies the string and pads with a specified character (default is space).
```
s = "hello" padded_left = s.ljust(10) # "hello " padded_right = s.rjust(10) # " hello" 
```
If you want to pad with a character other than space, you can provide it as the second argument:
```
padded_left = s.ljust(10, '*') # "hello*****" padded_right = s.rjust(10, '*') # "*****hello" 
```
Using str.center():
This method will center the string and pad with the specified character on both sides:
```
s = "hello" centered = s.center(10) # " hello " 
```
If you want to pad with a character other than space:
```
centered = s.center(10, '*') # "**hello***" 
```

Using Python f-string (Python 3.6+):

s = "hello" padded_left = f"{s:<10}" # "hello " padded_right = f"{s:>10}" # " hello" centered = f"{s:^10}" # " hello "

To pad with a specific character:

padded_left = f"{s:*<10}" # "hello*****" padded_right = f"{s:*>10}" # "*****hello" centered = f"{s:*^10}" # "**hello***"

Using str.format():

s = "hello" padded_left = "{:<10}".format(s) # "hello " padded_right = "{:>10}".format(s) # " hello" centered = "{:^10}".format(s) # " hello "

To pad with a specific character:

padded_left = "{:*<10}".format(s) # "hello*****" padded_right = "{:*>10}".format(s) # "*****hello" centered = "{:*^10}".format(s) # "**hello***"

Using zfill() for padding zeros:
This is useful if you want to pad a string with leading zeros:
```
s = "42" padded = s.zfill(5) # "00042" 
```

Choose the method that you find most readable or that fits your particular use case.