How to convert array string to an array in python

Question

Im trying to convert an array that ive stored in a mysql database (as a string) to a standard array in python an example of what I mean is:

This is what i get from the database:

"['a',['b','c','d'],'e']" # this is a string in the format of an array that holds strings inside it.

I need to remove the array from the string so that it acts just like a normal array Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm not sure if this has been answered elsewhere, sorry if it has I couldn't find it. Thanks

score 32 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 29 '14 at 16:30

32

You can use ast.literal_eval

>>> from ast import literal_eval
>>> s = "['a',['b','c','d'],'e']"
>>> print(literal_eval(s))
['a', ['b', 'c', 'd'], 'e']

edited Aug 29 '14 at 16:30

Scorpion_God

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answered Aug 29 '14 at 16:21

Padraic Cunningham

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while this is definately right(+1) ... he may want to consider changing the format that he is storing in the db to json or something – Joran Beasley Aug 29 '14 at 16:22
@JoranBeasley Do you know how i would use python to store json in the database – Riley Aug 29 '14 at 16:27
@RileyThe15YearOld `json.dumps()` will turn your array into a JSON string, and `json.loads()` will turn it back into a Python array. – TheSoundDefense Aug 29 '14 at 16:32
@TheSoundDefense id just prefer to keep it as an array really – Riley Aug 29 '14 at 16:35
@RileyThe15YearOld ok, but it's not going to be as reliable or safe, I don't think. – TheSoundDefense Aug 29 '14 at 16:36
@TheSoundDefense all it is to do it store menu options for a website so it should be ok – Riley Aug 29 '14 at 16:37

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 29 '14 at 16:30

6

If you can convert those single quotes to double quotes, you can use json parsing.

import json
obj1 = json.loads('["a", ["b", "c", "d"], "e"]')

answered Aug 29 '14 at 16:30

Shashank Agarwal

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The accepted answer is a better solution. – Omar Shabab Jul 07 '21 at 01:33
This one also good solution. – Necromancer Nov 13 '21 at 12:26

How to convert array string to an array in python

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