List of empty string returns non-zero length in python [duplicate]

Question

I have a list of strings returned after command execution, split on '\n'.

listname = output.decode('utf8').rstrip().split('\n')

When I print using print(listname), I get

['']

Clearly It's a list containing empty string

Because of this I am getting len(listname) as 1.

How to remove this empty string

Oleksii Kachaiev · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-14 14:22:00Z

5

I think this is what you are looking for:

filter(None,output.decode('utf8').rstrip().split('\n'))

In details:

>>> filter(None, ["Ford", "Nissan", ""])
['Ford', 'Nissan']

P.S. In python 3+ filter returns iterator, so use list(filter(..)).

answered May 14, 2013 at 14:13

Oleksii Kachaiev

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2 Comments

+1 but I had to use list(filter(None,...)) again

@Drt Good point, updated my answer.

Tim · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-14 19:20:47Z

3

listname = [item for item in output.decode('utf8').rstrip().split('\n') if item]

answered May 14, 2013 at 14:14

Tim

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Remco Haszing · Accepted Answer · 2013-05-14 14:14:21Z

1

output = output.decode('utf8').rstrip()
if output:
    listname = []
else:
    listname = output.split('\n')

answered May 14, 2013 at 14:14

Remco Haszing

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+1, although I'd use a conditional: lst = out.split('\n') if out else []