Null object in Python

In Python, the concept of a "null object" is represented by the special built-in value None. It’s used to signify the absence of a value or a null result—similar to null in other programming languages like JavaScript or Java.

What is None in Python?

• None is a singleton object of the NoneType class.
  
• It is commonly used to indicate that a variable has no value, a function returns nothing, or a placeholder exists.

x = None

if x is None:

    print("x has no value")

Where is None typically used?

Default arguments in functions:

def greet(name=None):

    if name is None:

        print("Hello, guest!")

    else:

        print(f"Hello, {name}!")

Functions that don't explicitly return a value:

def do_nothing():

    pass

print(do_nothing())  # Output: None

As a placeholder in data structures:

  my_list = [1, None, 3]

Checking for None:

Always use is or is not instead of == when comparing with None.

if value is None:

    print("Value is null")

Summary:

• None is Python’s way of representing a null or missing value.
  
• It's widely used for optional variables, default parameters, and function returns.
  
• It helps write cleaner and more readable code when handling absent data.