Python operator precedence when concatenating adjacent string literals

Question

The docs say that two string literals that are next to each other are concatenated. For example:

>>>print("py" "thon")
python

However, this feature is implemented at compile time instead of runtime like the + and * operators, so this interesting effect occurs:

>>>print(2 * "py" + "thon")
pypython
>>>print(2 * "py" "thon")
pythonpython

I understand why this happens in the language, but I can't think of a reason for it to be that way. Is there a reason, or was it just easier to leave it alone?

Answer 1

Quite frankly, If I were to design python today, I would make

print ("py" "thon")

A syntax error

Same as

print (5 3)

I would guess that the reason for concatenating adjacent strings, is for consistency with bash / perl

echo "py""thon"