String Data with Python

Question

I am currently learning python and I started to write my first personal project. I created a very simple phone book which can get name and phone number and store it in a dict. But after I close the program the data is wiped out and it's not stored in some kind of DB or text file. I would like to add an additional feature where all the contacts are saved in text file (I assume a database will be quite hard for me at this point) and every time I open the program I access this text file with the previously saved contacts and I can apply some of the options like search, delete or show all contacts.

I am attaching my code, any additional comments would be appreciated.

contact_book = {}

while True: 
    user_choice = input("Select one of the following operations: \n [C] - Create a new contact \n [A] - Show all contacts" 
                        "\n [S] - Search for a contact \n [D] - Delete contact \n [X] - Exit \n").upper()
    
    if user_choice == "C":
        contact_name = input()
        contact_number = input()
        contact_book[contact_name] = contact_number
        
    if user_choice == "A": 
        for name, number in contact_book.items():
            print(f'Contact name -> {name}. Phone number -> {number}')
    
    if user_choice == "S":
        search_name = input("Enter a contact name: ")
        if search_name in contact_book:
            print(f'{search_name} has been found in contact list. {search_name} phone number is {contact_book.get(contact_name)}')
        else: 
            print(search_name, "is not found in the contact list.")
    
    if user_choice == "D":
        contact_to_delete = input("Enter the contact name you would like to delete: ")
        if contact_to_delete in contact_book:
            contact_book.pop(contact_to_delete)
            print(f"{contact_to_delete} was removed from the contact list.")
        else:
            print(f"{contact_to_delete} has not been found.")
    
    if user_choice == "X":
        break

Instead of using a text file to store a dict object, you should have a look at the 'pickle' module. It can store and load objects (like dict) to and from a .pkl file — pySam1459
– pySam1459, Commented Nov 14, 2021 at 15:12
Does this answer your question? How to read and write a file using python? — Jacob Celestine
– Jacob Celestine, Commented Nov 14, 2021 at 15:13
What is your actual question or problem? Yes, using a file for storage is a useful approach. It has limitations, but that shouldn't bother you as a beginner. Apart from the mentioned pickle module, I'd also suggest e.g. Python as metaformat. As a new user here, please also take the tour and read How to Ask. — Ulrich Eckhardt
– Ulrich Eckhardt, Commented Nov 14, 2021 at 15:16
or in this case, pickle to JSON (pickle is a security hole, since it evals arbitrary code; in this case you just need to store plaintext. or indeed csv, xml, etc: have a look at some tutorials on saving and retrieving output in plaintext :) — 2e0byo
– 2e0byo, Commented Nov 14, 2021 at 16:27
Thanks guys, pickle definetly is some solution for a begginers. I managed to append the output in a separate .txt file. — Karastoyanov
– Karastoyanov, Commented Nov 15, 2021 at 18:11

user17083192 · Accepted Answer · 2021-11-14 17:11:30Z

1

I would recommend using MySQL but you said it would be difficult for you. You can use the concept of file handling. In this, you can store your data in a file and can use the data after wards. If you are not aware of this concept, I would say that your project has an awesome feature but you're doing it too early. First learn the concept of file handling and then give an attempt. Also, if you use file handling, deleting the contact is tough, it'll be quite lengthy. If you know it, here's your code:

def create():
    f=open("Contacts.txt","a")
    contact={}
    contact_name=input("Enter name: ")
    contact_no=input("Enter number: ")
    contact[contact_name]=contact_no
    f.write(contact)
    f.close()
def show_all():
    f=open("Contacts.txt","r")
    for i in f.readlines():
        print (i)
    f.close()
def search():
    f=open("Contacts.txt","r")
    name=input("Enter name: ")
    for i in f.readlines():
        for j,k in i.items():
            if j==name:
                print(j,k)
    f.close()

#main
while True:
    user_choice = input("Select one of the following operations: \n [C] - Create a new contact \n [A] - Show all contacts" 
                        "\n [S] - Search for a contact \n [X] - Exit \n").upper()
    if user_choice=="C":
        create()
    elif user_choice=="A":
        show_all()
    elif user_choice=="S":
        search()
    elif user_choice=="X":
        break
    else:
        print("Invalid input, try again")

answered Nov 14, 2021 at 17:11

user17083192

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2 Comments

Karastoyanov Over a year ago

Thank a lot! Definetly mySQL would be a perfect scenario, that was my initial idea, to implement a feature for manipulating the stored contacts and single thing that comes in my mind is some kind of DB.

user17083192 Over a year ago

For sure you should try MySQL. Please don't let this idea go off. Once you learn it, try doing it using MySQL. And if the answer helped you, you can accept it🤣

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