python - Math operations from string

Question

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Answer 1

Warning: this way is not a safe way, but is very easy to use. Use it wisely.

Use the eval function.

print eval('2 + 4')

Output:

6

You can even use variables or regular python code.

a = 5
print eval('a + 4')

Output:

9

You also can get return values:

d = eval('4 + 5')
print d

Output:

9

Or call functions:

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

def subtract(a, b):
    return a - b

a = 20
b = 10    
print eval('add(a, b)')
print eval('subtract(a, b)')

Output:

30
10

In case you want to write a parser, maybe instead you can built a python code generator if that is easier and use eval to run the code. With eval you can execute any Python evalution.

Why eval is unsafe?

Since you can put literally anything in the eval, e.g. if the input argument is:

os.system(‘rm -rf /’)

It will remove all files on your system (at least on Linux/Unix). So only use eval when you trust the input.