How to use python2 input() function in python3?

Question

In python2 the input() function does not convert the input to string as it is done in python3.

For eg in python2 if input is :- [[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6]] then this returns a 2d List

But in python3 the input() function converts the input to string

Is there any similar function in python3 which prevents the typecasting of input to string ?

[`literal_eval()`](https://docs.python.org/3/library/ast.html#ast.literal_eval). — Olvin Roght, Oct 11 '20 at 06:13
You have it backwards. Input is always passed to a program as a string. Python2 went out of its way to eval it and thus convert it to another type. — MisterMiyagi, Oct 11 '20 at 06:15
Thanks, I just checked and it works. I didn't knew about that. — deepakgupta191199, Oct 11 '20 at 06:15

Kiwirafe · Accepted Answer · 2020-10-11T22:41:44.590

1

Use eval(input()) as mentioned here

def InputList():
    i = eval(input("What's your input?\n"))
    print(type(i))

InputList()

Output:

What's your input?
[0, 1]
<class 'list'>

Or as @Olvin Roght mentioned, ast.literal_eval() is a bit more complicated but more secure way.

import ast
def InputList():
    i = input("What's your input?\n")
    i = ast.literal_eval(i)
    print(type(i))

InputList()

This will output the same as above

edited Oct 11 '20 at 22:41

answered Oct 11 '20 at 06:17

Kiwirafe

2

It's a bit more secure to use `literal_eval()`. – Olvin Roght Oct 11 '20 at 06:26

1 Answers1