Python ljust method not working as expected on formatted strings
<p>When using string formatting resulting string is longer than expected.</p>

<p>For example:</p>

<pre><code>In [1]: "%s".ljust(7) % "123456"
Out[1]: '123456     '
</code></pre>

<p>Output string is not 7 characters long.</p>

<p>I'm interested in what is exactly happening 'in the background' to result in such behavior?</p>
