What does the operator // denote in Python?

The operator // in Python denotes integer division, which is the division of two numbers resulting in the largest whole number that is less than or equal to the actual division result. When using this operator, the output of the operation will always be an integer, even if the operands are both floats. For example, 7 // 3 equals 2, as it discards any fractional part of the result.

This operator is particularly useful in scenarios where only the quotient is required without the decimal or remainder, such as in algorithms involving discrete mathematics or when working with indices and loops. Unlike

regular division using the / operator, which returns a float regardless of the input types, the // operator provides a straightforward way to obtain whole numbers, making it easier to work with integers in programming logic.