[Tutor] Re: [Python-Help] why do i need to surround file names in inputs with quotes?

[Alex Martelli]

On Monday 08 April 2002 05:57 pm, Tom Churm wrote:
> hi,
>
> i've found & adapted the following simple python script that copies one
> text file to another text file.  the script works o.k., but only when i
> enter the name of the text file (both original, and the name of the new
> text file) surrounded by "double quotes".

The built-in function called input wants the user to enter a Python
expression -- and the Python expression for a string needs quotes
(single or double ones, indifferently).

If you just want a string, not an expression, use raw_input instead, i.e.:

> a = input('Type name of file to copy surrounded by doublequotes')
> b = input('Type name of new file surrounded by doublequotes')

change to:

a = raw_input("Type name of file to copy: ")
b = raw_input("Type name of new file: ")


Note: please don't crosspost as widely as that -- just python-help
would be fine, thanks!


Alex