Why aren't these strings equal? (Python)

Question

def getValue(d, key):
    for k, v in d.iteritems():
        print "{0} == {1}".format(k, key)
        if k == key:
            return v
        elif isinstance(v, dict):
            getValue(v, key)
    logging.error("Cannot find key in dictionary")
    return ""

#d = getting the dictionary

getValue(d, "error_frames")

From the print statement I inserted in the function, I clearly see "error_frames == error_frames" appear in the console, but the if statement is not getting executed. Why? The dictionary is constructed by parsing xml with the module xmltodict.

Try printing repr(k) and repr(key) instead of using str.format. — Fred Foo
– Fred Foo, Commented May 29, 2012 at 14:16

eumiro · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-29 14:14:48Z

12

.format calls the __str__ method of the object and its output can be identical for different objects.

In [1]: a = 1

In [2]: b = '1'

In [3]: print '{0} == {1}'.format(a, b)
1 == 1

In [4]: a == b
Out[4]: False

answered May 29, 2012 at 14:14

eumiro

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1 Comment

mgilson Over a year ago

I think that what you mean is that .format calls __str__ -- In this case, print is calling __str__ on a string object, which just returns a string.

ecatmur · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-29 14:17:38Z

6

Perhaps the print statement is being executed from a nested recursive call.

    elif isinstance(v, dict):
        getValue(v, key)

Should that be return getValue(key)?

answered May 29, 2012 at 14:17

ecatmur

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1 Comment

mgilson Over a year ago

Good catch (+1) : my gut feeling is that this will solve the problem.

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