Python: Shorter way of checking if a string equals two other strings

Question

have just started learning python and this question came up to my mind is there a shorter way to determine if a string equals 'something' or 'somethingelse'?

example:

input = raw_input("question?")

while input != 'n' and input != 'y':
    #ask question again

merlin2011 · Accepted Answer · 2016-08-31T20:05:07.770

5

You could check whether it is in a list or set.

input = raw_input("question?")

while input not in ['n', 'N']:
    #ask question again

If you are just trying to accept two cases though, you could also just call lower on the input.

while input.lower() != 'n':
    #ask question again

edited Aug 31 '16 at 20:05

answered Aug 31 '16 at 20:03

merlin2011

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Or a set `{'n', 'N'}` – Moses Koledoye Aug 31 '16 at 20:04
when I tried to use 'is not' it didn't work, why is that? – Chemi Aug 31 '16 at 20:06
Never use `is` when checking string *value*. It checks the reference in memory @chemi – Andrew Li Aug 31 '16 at 20:09
@Chemi, Please accept this answer if it resolves your question. – merlin2011 Aug 31 '16 at 20:13

Vivian · Answer 2 · 2016-08-31T20:08:15.133

2

Perhaps unexpectedly, 'a' != input != 'b' works. It resolves the same way as ('a' != input) and ('b' != input). You can do the same thing with ==, or with <, >, etc. on numbers, as well.

Oh, but you have to be careful if you chain it longer than three things, or use multiple different comparison operators.

edited Aug 31 '16 at 20:08

answered Aug 31 '16 at 20:06

Vivian

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that helps alot, thanks! – Chemi Aug 31 '16 at 20:07

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 31 '16 at 20:05

1

If it's a case issue, then you can:

while input.lower() != 'n'

answered Aug 31 '16 at 20:05

Israel Unterman

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Python: Shorter way of checking if a string equals two other strings

3 Answers3