[Python] Need Help in removing characters [ and ] from list of strings

Question

Am new with lists in python programming. Will need help in writing a program that:
- Prompts input from user till an empty string is given
- Removes [ and ] from filenames and prints a string with separated by commas

Test input:
cute_cat[20150203].jpg
[quick] brown_fox.png
[x264] lazy_dog [1280x720].mp4

Output:
cute_cat.jpg, brown_fox.png, lazy_dog.mp4

Answer 1

To give you a hint:

removing the squared brackets can be done with one of these approaches:

- use string method replace()
- use a for loop to check for the brackets and skip them by creating a new string
- use regular expression

Answer 2

here is a sample how replace works:

...
new_filename = []
for word in filename:
word = word.replace('[','')
word = word.replace(']','')
new_filename.append(word)
print(*new_filename, sep=', ')

Answer 3

Where's your attempt?

Answer 4

here:
'''
Flash
Oct 19, 2020

input:
an empty string [just press submit button]

output:
cute_cat.jpg, brown_fox.png, lazy_dog.mp4
'''

import re

def get_input():
ret = []
i = input()
while i != '':
ret.append(i)
i = input()
return ret

def process_filename(list_names):
if len(list_names) < 1:
return ''
return ', '.join([re.sub(r"\[([A-Za-z0-9_]+)\]", '', i.strip().replace(' ', '')) for i in list_names])

#this won't work on sololearn
#l = get_input()
l = ['cute_cat[20150203].jpg\n', '[quick] brown_fox.png\n', '[x264] lazy_dog [1280x720].mp4\n']
print(process_filename(l))

https://code.sololearn.com/caG7PLYg50c8/?ref=app

Answer 5

Sorry am pretty new. Am only able to create the list and input part. I dont know how to remove items within [] yet. Any suggestions on how to continue.

Test input: cute_cat[20150203].jpg ([20150203] has to be removed)

filename = []
while True:
fileinput = input("Filename? ")
if fileinput == "":
break
else:
filename.append(fileinput)

print(filename)

Answer 6

How can i integrate your code into mine. The program I am working on should be able to cull any input that has [] as well as the contents stored in [].

Also can i check what this string means:
return ', '.join([re.sub(r"\[([A-Za-z0-9_]+)\]", '', i.strip().replace(' ', '')) for i in list_names])

Answer 7

Frost Spectre the code I posted should work on the condition you mentioned. it’s a reg exp. the line simply removes whitespaces(\n...), spaces, then replaces [...] with nothing from a given string.