Split Strings in Python | CBSE – Class 12

In this section, “Split Strings in Python: How to Break Strings Apart”, we will provide a comprehensive introduction to replacing strings in python, including

• Using the split() method:
• Splitting on a Custom Delimiter
• Limiting the Number of Splits
• Best Practices for String Splitting

By the end of this tutorial, readers will have a solid understanding of Splitting strings in Python and will be able to use this knowledge in their own programming projects.

This tutorial covers all necessary topics/concepts required to complete your exams preparations in CBSE schools / classes.

Introduction:

When working with text data in Python, it’s often necessary to break a string into smaller parts or components. This process is known as string splitting, and it’s an essential operation when dealing with text data. In this article, we’ll explore how to split strings in Python, the different methods available, and best practices to ensure optimized performance.

Using the split() method:

The most common way to split a string in Python is by using the split() method. The split() method is a string method that takes a delimiter as an argument and returns a list of substrings. For example:

string = "Hello World"
result = string.split()
print(result)

Output: [‘Hello’, ‘World’]

In this example, we’ve used the split() method to split the string “Hello World” into two parts, “Hello” and “World.” The delimiter used was a whitespace character, which is the default delimiter for the split() method.

Splitting on a Custom Delimiter:

The split() method allows you to specify a custom delimiter to split the string on. For example:

string = "apple,banana,orange"
result = string.split(",")
print(result)

Output: [‘apple’, ‘banana’, ‘orange’]

In this example, we’ve used a comma as the delimiter to split the string “apple,banana,orange” into three parts, “apple,” “banana,” and “orange.”

Limiting the Number of Splits:

The split() method also allows you to limit the number of splits that occur. For example:

string = "apple,banana,orange,grapefruit"
result = string.split(",", 2)
print(result)

Output: [‘apple’, ‘banana’, ‘orange,grapefruit’]

In this example, we’ve used a comma as the delimiter to split the string “apple,banana,orange,grapefruit” into three parts. However, we’ve limited the number of splits to two by passing the value 2 as the second argument to the split() method. As a result, the last two items, “orange” and “grapefruit,” have been combined into a single substring.

Best Practices for String Splitting:

When working with string splitting in Python, it’s essential to follow some best practices to ensure optimized performance. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Use the split() method instead of manually splitting strings. The split() method is more efficient and provides more flexibility.
• Use a custom delimiter when necessary. This will allow you to split the string on specific characters or patterns.
• Limit the number of splits when necessary. This will prevent unnecessary computations and improve performance.

Conclusion:

In this article, we’ve explored the different ways to split strings in Python, including the split() method, splitting on a custom delimiter, and limiting the number of splits. We’ve also provided some best practices to follow to ensure optimized performance. By understanding the basics of string splitting, you’ll be able to work with text data more efficiently and write better Python code.