Question

Python Help

I'm not sure how to extract the numbers from the file. I'm sure that if I'll extract them, they will be considered as strings, so I also have to convert it to float. I just need help in extracting the numbers.

The files are in the comments.

Answer 1

You can split line at ":" character to get the floating point value by using
```
floatString =line.split(":",1)[1]
```
Now this floatString will be a string so you can use
```
floatValue =float(floatString)
```
to parse the float value from string
You can also execute both commands in a single line
```
floatVal = float(line.split(":",1)[1])
```
Let me know if this doesnt work for you , or you have some doubt.

Answer 2

I tried doing the splitting first, but it says "list index out of range"

Answer 3

That would happen if there is no ":" in the line , make sure you use split after this line
```
if not line.startsWith("X-DSPAM-Confidence:") :continue
floatString = line.split(":")[1]
```
dont add this splitting before that line.

Answer 4

yes, that's what I did...

Answer 5

Why are you using 20 as index? When you'll split at ":" it will create an array of
["X-DSPAM-Confidence" , "whateverFloatValueYouHave"]. There are only two indexes 0 and 1..
Replace
```
floatString = line.split(":",1)[20]
```
with
```
floatString = line.split(":") [1]
```

Answer 6

oh okay! Now, I just did that and now it says "bad input"

Answer 7

Bad input happens when indentation is not right in python... make sure you are using right indentation

Answer 8

okay. I'm just wondering if it is okay to put it before the 'continue'?

Answer 9

No it's not.... we are checking if the line does not start with "X-DSPAM-Confidence:" then it would skip the rest of the code using Continue command. If we place it before continue , lines who doesnt contain any ":" will also call split() function and creates an array with single element , which would lead to "list index out of range errors again"

Answer 10

Following code should fulfil your requirement
```
fname = raw_input("Enter file name: ")
fh = open (fname)
count = 0
total = 0
for line in fh:
line = line.rstrip()
count = count +1
if not line.startswith("X-DSPAM-Confidence:"):continue
floatVal = float(line.split(":",1)[1])
#print floatVal
total = total + floatVal
average = total/count
print "Average spam confidence:",average
```

Answer 11

thanks! I just have to adjust the average but I can manage it from here. Thank you so much

Answer 12

Glad to help :)