For example, it may not be clear what this condition checks:

if len(text) - len(text.lstrip()) >= 4:
...

But it's pretty clear what this one checks:

indent_level = len(text) - len(text.lstrip())
if indent_level >= 4:
...

Even if a variable is strictly unnecessary, if it improves readability you should keep it!

🧵 (2/2)

Maybe this is what's most readable:

words = sentence.split()
last_3_words = " ".join(words[-3:])

Or maybe it's this:

last_3_words = " ".join(sentence.split()[-3:])

But if a variable isn't any clearer than the expression it represents, just use the expression.

🧵 (4/4)

You might retort with "but the expression is harder to understand without the variables".

This is clearly subjective and reasonable people may disagree.

If you find one big expression harder to read, then use variables to improve readability.

But there's no reason to embrace variable minimalism OR variable maximalism.

🧵 (3/4)

Intermediary steps CAN have their own variables:

words = sentence.split()
last_3_words_list = words[-3:]
last_3_words = " ".join(last_3_words_list)

But if the variables aren't any clearer than the expression, just use the expression:

last_3_words = " ".join(sentence.split()[-3:])

🧵 (2/4)