How do I insert a variable into a raw_input query?

Question

I have started learning Python 2.7.x with the "Learn Python the Hard Way" book. I am currently learning about the raw_input function and I'm experimenting with different ways to use it. I wrote the following code:

name = raw_input("What is your name? ")
print "Hi %s," % name,
home = raw_input("where do you live? ")

print "I hear that %s is a great place to raise a family, %s." % (home, name)

age = raw_input("How old are you, %s? ") % name

I receive this error with the last line:

TypeError: not all arguments converted during string formatting

How can I use the raw_input function in a similar way and insert a variable so customize the question embedded in the raw_input query (apologies if I am making a mess of the terminology)?

Ideally, I'd like to output a question along these lines:

How old are you, Bob?

Answer 1

try:

age = raw_input("How old are you, %s? " % name)

Explanation:

raw_input([prompt])

If the prompt argument is present, it is written to standard output without a trailing newline. The function then reads a line from input, converts it to a string (stripping a trailing newline), and returns that.

So, when you do

age = raw_input("How old are you, %s? ") % name

let's say you entered Paul

so the above statement becomes,

age = "Paul" % name

and since string "Paul" is not a placeholder it throws the corresponding error.