CODE EXAMPLE FOR PYTHON

python string formatting - string truncating with format()

# truncating strings to 3 letters
print("{:.3}".format("caterpillar"))

# truncating strings to 3 letters
# and padding
print("{:5.3}".format("caterpillar"))

# truncating strings to 3 letters,
# padding and center alignment
print("{:^5.3}".format("caterpillar"))