Why does python add an 'L' on the end of the result of large exponents?

Question

If you've noticed, python adds an L on to the end of large exponent results like this:

>>> 25 ** 25
88817841970012523233890533447265625L

After doing some tests, I found that any number below 10 doesn't include the L. For example:

>>> 9 ** 9
387420489

This was strange, so, why does this happen, is there any method to prevent it? All help is appreciated!

Answer 1

Python supports arbitrary precision integers, meaning you're able to represent larger numbers than a normal 32 or 64 bit integer type. The L tells you when a literal is of this type and not a regular integer.

Note, that L only shows up in the interpreter output, it's just signifying the type. If you print that result instead:

>>> print(25 ** 25)
88817841970012523233890533447265625

The L doesn't get printed.

In Python 3, these types have been merged, so Python 3 outputs:

Python 3.4.0 (default, Apr 11 2014, 13:05:11) 
[GCC 4.8.2] on linux
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> 24 ** 24
1333735776850284124449081472843776