How to convert a list string into a list?

Question

string type

a = " ['a','b','c']"

expected list:

a
> ['a','b','c']

How would I convert a list form in string to a true list?

[see this answer](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1894269/convert-string-representation-of-list-to-list) — e.doroskevic, Nov 24 '18 at 00:01
@slider: interestingly, I get an error for the OP's input. `ast.literal_eval` does not like that space in front at all: `IndentationError: unexpected indent` — Jongware, Nov 24 '18 at 00:03
@usr2564301 You're right, I see that too. `strip` seems like a good simple fix. — slider, Nov 24 '18 at 00:24

pangyuteng · Accepted Answer · 2018-11-24T00:07:54.883

1

give the below a try:

eval(a.strip(' '))

EDIT:

eval is evil. Please see the link provided by e.doroskevic !!

edited Nov 24 '18 at 00:07

answered Nov 23 '18 at 23:58

pangyuteng

eval is evil... – The Pineapple Nov 24 '18 at 00:02
1

@ThePineapple lol. i concur! eval is evil!! I used eval, but I refrained myself from mentioning the words nasa and the moon. – pangyuteng Nov 24 '18 at 00:04

1 Answers1