How to count the number of columns in a line with python

Question

I am writing a python code and I am trying to figure out which function would be the best to carry out the following task:

I want to say "if the number of words in a line isn't equal to 1, do stuff"

#Some code
words = line.split("\t")
if sum(words) != 1
#Do something

#Some code
words = line.split("\t")
if int(words) != 1
#Do something

#Some code
words = line.split("\t")
if len(words) != 1
#Do something

All of these commands return the following error:

File "test.py", line 10
if len(words) != 1
                 ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

Can anyone help?

...you're missing a colon.

jonrsharpe
– jonrsharpe

2015-10-13 10:35:57 +00:00
Commented Oct 13, 2015 at 10:35 — jonrsharpe
– jonrsharpe, Commented Oct 13, 2015 at 10:35

Guillaume · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-13 10:47:29Z

6

You are getting this error because you are missing colons after every "if" statement. Also, to get the number of elements in words, you should use len() instead of sum().

This

if sum(words) != 1
#Do something

Should be this:

if len(words) != 1:
#Do something

edited Oct 13, 2015 at 10:47

answered Oct 13, 2015 at 10:39

Guillaume

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Comments

AkaSh · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-13 11:17:28Z

1

if(len(line.split(" "))!=1) :
    do something

edited Oct 13, 2015 at 11:17

answered Oct 13, 2015 at 10:43

AkaSh

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4 Comments

Noxeus Over a year ago

split already gives a list, this is not correct. docs.python.org/2/library/stdtypes.html#str.split

Burhan Khalid Over a year ago

line.split() will return a list, no need to list() it again.

AkaSh Over a year ago

@Ruben Though split returns a list the previous answer gives you right answer

Noxeus Over a year ago

Agreed, but a correct output isn't always a right answer.

Kapil Rupavatiya · Accepted Answer · 2015-10-13 10:46:35Z

0

You just need to check length of spited list:

if len(words) != 1:
    #Do your stuff here

answered Oct 13, 2015 at 10:46

Kapil Rupavatiya

1416 bronze badges

1 Comment

Gloom Over a year ago

Thanks for your help, guys :)

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