Python string representation of binary data
<p>I'm trying to understand the way Python displays strings representing binary data.</p>

<p>Here's an example using <a href="http://docs.python.org/library/os.html#os.urandom" rel="nofollow">os.urandom</a></p>

<pre><code>In [1]: random_bytes = os.urandom(4)

In [2]: random_bytes
Out[2]: '\xfd\xa9\xbe\x87'

In [3]: random_bytes = os.urandom(4)

In [4]: random_bytes
Out[4]: '\r\x9eq\xce'
</code></pre>

<p>In the first example of <code>random_bytes</code>, after each \x there seem to be values in hexadecimal form: fd a9 be 87.</p>

<p>In the second example, however, I don't understand why <code>'\r\x9eq\xce'</code> is displayed.</p>

<p>Why does Python show me these random bytes in this particular representation? How should I interpret <code>'\r\x9eq\xce'</code>?</p>
