[Tutor] Reading Input Data

[Kent Johnson]

lechtlr wrote:
> I want to read an input file (file.csv) that has two columns. I want to 
> read 2nd column and assign variables that are strings and floats. 
> Currently, I use the following split() function to read from the input 
> file and create a list, and then assign each element to a variable.
> 
> I am wondering there is any other easier (and elegant) way of doing this ?

Hmm. Are the strings and floats in a repeating pattern, or randomly 
sprinkled around, or what?

Assigning a bunch of variables like this may not be the best way to 
handle the data. Perhaps you could just keep them in a list?

Why are you doing this? How many lines are in the data file?

> data = []
> for line in open("file.csv"):
>      columns = line.split(',')
>      data.append([columns[1]])

This could be
   data.append(columns[1])
there is no need to make a nested list.

> 
> This script returns, say:
> data = [ ['20.0'], ['0.34'], ................,[ 'a:0.20, b:0.30, c:0.50' ]]
> 
> Then, I assign to a set of variables, say:
> 
> x1 = float(data[0][0]) ; x2 = float(data[1][0]);.............;xn = 
> data[-1][0]

Without the extra nesting it would be
   x1 = float(data[0]); etc.

Kent

> 
> 
> Thanks,
> Lex
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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