How to un-pad a string/number with zeros

Question

I know that to pad a string you do something like:

>>> n = '6'
>>> print n.zfill(3)
>>> '006

and a number:

>>> n = 6
>>> print '%03d' % n
>>> 006
>>> print "{0:03d}".format(6)  # python >= 2.6
>>> 006
>>> print("{0:03d}".format(6))  # python 3
>>> 006

My question is: Is there a way to undo/un/de-pad a string and number?

score 8 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 02 '14 at 08:26

8

Yes. You can simply do:

your_str.lstrip('0')

Examples

>>> '00003'.lstrip('0')
'3'

>>> '0234782394000'.lstrip('0')
'234782394000'

lstrip does not get rid of zeroes at the end of the string:

>>> '00100'.lstrip('0')
'100'

answered Apr 02 '14 at 08:26

sshashank124

will this also work for a number? – Renier Apr 02 '14 at 08:28
@Renier, Well a number would never have leading zeroes in the first place. However, if you mean a number string, then yes. – sshashank124 Apr 02 '14 at 08:29
I will once I can... wait 1 more minute `:)` – Renier Apr 02 '14 at 08:39
@Renier, Thank you and good luck with your project. :) – sshashank124 Apr 02 '14 at 08:43