List manipulation after importing txt-file

Question

I have some problems converting data which I imported from a txt-file into proper Mathematica expressions. After importing my data looks like

sample = {"{3", "\"string1\"", 45, "\"string2\"", 8.32, " {2013", 8, 1, 0, 6, " 19}", "0.}"}

Now I would like to transform it into

converted = {3, "string1", 45, "string2", 8.32`, {2013, 8, 1, 0, 6, 19}, 0.}

I imported the file using Import[file.txt,"Data"]

If you provide a sample from file.txt we might be able to make Import do a part of the job for you. — C. E., Feb 21 '14 at 10:34
Try to import as "Package", not "Data" if you have a list written using Mathematica syntax. — Szabolcs, Feb 21 '14 at 18:21

Kuba · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-21 10:30:53Z

7

You can Map with this:

ToExpression[StringJoin @@ Riffle[ToString /@ sample, ","]]

{3, "string1", 45, "string2", 8.32`, {2013, 8, 1, 0, 6, 19}, 0.`}

answered Feb 21 '14 at 10:30

Kuba♦

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$\begingroup$ Thanks for the elegant solution, solved my problem entirely $\endgroup$ – RMMA Feb 21 '14 at 11:19
$\begingroup$ @Kuba, Nice solution, but I wander: If this oddly shaped "sample" was imported from a text file, Wouldn't probably be better to parse the data correctly in the first instance, instead of correcting it afterwards? $\endgroup$ – rhermans Feb 21 '14 at 14:38
$\begingroup$ @rhermans That's what Pickett and Szabolcs are suggesting, I agree but OP has not responded to the comments. $\endgroup$ – Kuba♦ Feb 21 '14 at 21:56

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tchronis · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-21 10:55:40Z

4

Another solution without the use of Riffle :

ToExpression@StringReplace[ToString[sample], {"\\" -> "", "{{" -> "{", "}}" -> "}"}]

answered Feb 21 '14 at 10:55

tchronis

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$\begingroup$ Congratulations on your fanatic badge :) (temporary message) $\endgroup$ – Jacob Akkerboom Feb 25 '14 at 17:28
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$\begingroup$ Thank you!(permanent message):-P $\endgroup$ – tchronis Feb 25 '14 at 18:05

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2 Answers 2