Python error:“IndexError: string index out of range”

Question

I import my txt file as str by using with open

with open('./doc', 'r') as f:
dat = f.readlines()

then I want to clean the data by using a for loop

docs = []
for i in dat:
if i.strip()[0] != '<':
    docs.append(i)

error returns

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
IndexError                                Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-131-92a67082e677> in <module>()
      1 docs = []
      2 for i in dat:
----> 3     if i.strip()[0] != '<':
      4         docs.append(i)

IndexError: string index out of range

but if I change the code like this,just select the first 3000 lines, the code works.

docs = []
for i in dat[:3000]:
if i.strip()[0] != '<':
    docs.append(i)

My txt file contains 93408 lines ,why I can't select them all? thx!

Empty lines possibly? Try if i.strip() and i.strip()[0] != '<': — cs95
– cs95, Commented Oct 30, 2017 at 1:18

developer_hatch · Accepted Answer · 2017-10-30 01:27:28Z

2

one or more lines could be empty, you need to check it before take first elem

if i.strip() != "" and i.strip()[0] != '<':
    docs.append(i)

edited Oct 30, 2017 at 1:27

answered Oct 30, 2017 at 1:20

developer_hatch

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5 Comments

cs95 Over a year ago

Small correction: if i.strip() != '' because i is a string. Furthermore, you can shorten that to if i.strip() because of truthiness testing. See my comment in the question too.

developer_hatch Over a year ago

@cᴏʟᴅsᴘᴇᴇᴅ my old pal! Long time no see, always so kind, always so nice! Always right.. Thanks so much!

Helix Herry Over a year ago

@cᴏʟᴅsᴘᴇᴇᴅ the code works! thank you for your help, as a beginner your kindness shining my way

developer_hatch Over a year ago

@HerryWang don't forget to accept the answer with the check box! ;)

cs95 Over a year ago

@HerryWang Well asked questions will be rewarded with help. :-)

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