Python etree iterfind trying to pass variable to function string

Question

I can not find the appropriate syntax or method to do this, which is why I am reaching out.

I am using python 2.7 lxml etree

my code is similar to this:

for y in mytree.iterfind('./level1/level2/level3/[2]'):
  print y.tag, y.text

Essentially printing all of the available tags and text in the second iteration of the level. (I know how many there are, I am not having issues with indexing or making the function work).

I am attempting to loop through them using 'i' as a defined variable (incrementally increasing 'i' to the defined number of items).

This does not work:

for y in mytree.iterfind('./level1/level2/level3/[i]'):
  print y.tag, y.text

I also tried creating the string as a variable (concatenating the text with the 'i variable as a string, but python did not recognize that it was a function anymore.

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

DisappointedByUnaccountableMod · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-31 21:34:08Z

1

You need to build the path string using the value of i, e.g (untested):

for y in mytree.iterfind('./level1/level2/level3/[%d]'%(i)):
  print y.tag, y.text

If in doubt, construct the string outside the interfind call so you can print it, e.g. (untested):

for i in range(3): # or whatever the i loop is...
    pathstr = './level1/level2/level3/[%d]'%(i)
    print pathstr
    for y in mytree.iterfind(pathstr):
        print y.tag, y.text

answered Mar 31, 2018 at 21:34

DisappointedByUnaccountableMod

6,8444 gold badges21 silver badges23 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

Scientific40 Over a year ago

Awesome, that worked perfectly. I have to learn how that works, meaning the syntax with the %d and %I. I have experience working with macros so searching for this will work now that you pointed me in the right direction by giving me the answer. I am still very new to python. I appreciate the help!

Parfait Over a year ago

Do note: str.format is preferred to the modulo operator which the latter is used here.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Python etree iterfind trying to pass variable to function string

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related