How to count frequencys in python?

Question

I had a file called 'words.txt' which contains things such as. #+=%£%= and i need to go through and count each symbol without allowing any duplicates and then print my answer. for example it should look like this when printed:

# : 1
+ : 1
= : 2
% : 2
£ : 1

I know I need to use a for loop in this and that I need to use a set so It doesnt't allow any duplicates but how would I do it? Thanl you

possible duplicate of [Counting repeated characters in a string in Python](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/991350/counting-repeated-characters-in-a-string-in-python) — Kamiccolo, Dec 12 '13 at 16:06
Do you have a list of all the symbols that could be found in the file? Or is it all just random symbols in the file? — Clutch, Dec 12 '13 at 16:07

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 12 '13 at 16:06

4

A set isn't so useful here as it doesn't have a place to store the counts

from collections import Counter
with open("words.txt") as fin:
    c = Counter(fin.read())

for item in c.items():
    print("{} : {}".format(*item))

answered Dec 12 '13 at 16:06

John La Rooy

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Why don't you let him find a soltion as it is clearly an exercise? – RedX Dec 12 '13 at 16:16

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 12 '13 at 16:07

1

Use python dictionary:

symbols = {}

for c in string:
  if c not in symbols:
    symbols[c] = 0
  symbols[c] += 1

answered Dec 12 '13 at 16:07

Sash

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score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 12 '13 at 16:05

0

Look up dictionary.

Don't want to post more as it would only spoil the exercise.

answered Dec 12 '13 at 16:05

RedX

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How to count frequencys in python?

3 Answers3