How to Convert a String to a List of Strings in Python

A step-by-step guide on how to convert a string representation of a list into an actual list of strings in Python using the eval function.
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Converting a String to a List of Strings in Python

If you're working with data in Python, you might encounter a situation where a list is represented as a string. This can often happen when data is read from a file or an API and you need to convert this string back into a usable list format. In this guide, we’ll explore how to convert a string that looks like a list into an actual list of strings in Python.

The Problem Statement

Let's say you have a string like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

You want to convert this string into a real list that looks like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

The challenge is to find an efficient method to do this in Python.

Solution Overview

One of the simplest ways to convert this string representation of a list into an actual list in Python is using the eval() function. However, be cautious with eval() as it executes the string as a Python expression, which can pose security risks if the string content is not controlled or sanitized.

Using eval() Function

Here’s how to handle the conversion using eval() in a step-by-step manner:

Prepare Your String: Ensure your string is formatted correctly as a list representation.

Use eval(): Call the eval() function on your string.

Check the Result: Verify that the result is indeed a list.

Example Code

Here’s the code that does the conversion:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Result

When you run the code above, you'll successfully convert the string x into a list of strings. The output will confirm that your conversion has been successful:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Important Considerations

Alternative Method: Here is a safer way to achieve the same result without using eval():

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion