how to read multiple input data listed on the same line of a file in python

Question

I have a file input.dat with contents:

1.00000000   1.00000000   0.00000000   0.10000000        12        12     50000           2

I want to read these values and assign them to variables a1 to a8 respectively.

I try:

with open("input_params.dat","r") as inpfl:
    a1,a2,a3,a4,a5,a6,a7,a8 = inpfl.read()

and get the error:

ValueError: too many values to unpack (expected 8)

How can I modify read() to do what I want?

I also need a1,..., a8 to be floats and integers respectively and not string variables. How do I accomplish this?

Do not use a1, a2, ..., a8. Either use sensible names or use a list. — gboffi
– gboffi, Commented Nov 3, 2019 at 17:22

Umesh Jadhav · Accepted Answer · 2019-11-03 17:28:38Z

3

you can just use below code:

f = open('1.txt' , 'r')
lines = f.read().split(" ")

so you have list of values and you can take it in variable if you want like below: a = lines[0], b = lines[1] and so on.

You can use a1,a2,a3 = f.read().split(" ") if you want it in variables. Provided you have exact number of variables as values in file.

Hope this helps.

edited Nov 3, 2019 at 17:28

answered Nov 3, 2019 at 17:21

Umesh Jadhav

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5 Comments

geom Over a year ago

thanks, it does help in case I want the variables on a list

Umesh Jadhav Over a year ago

You can use a1,a2,a3 = f.read().split(" ") if you want it in variables.

geom Over a year ago

yes, it was mentioned above and it's what I need. Thanks again

geom Over a year ago

This way, a1 to a8 are string variables. I need them to be floats and integers respectively. How can I accomplish this?

Umesh Jadhav Over a year ago

As your file will always return string when you read from it, you will have to manually convert the values accordingly. I think all you can convert all values to the float as 12.0 is as good as 12. You can use a1,a2,a3...= float(f.read().split(" ")). If you want it to be int and float resp then you have to manually do float() or int()

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