Python - Word Count script

Question

Down below is Python word count script that I found online, I am having difficulty understanding how you would run this though. Would I need to create a file and open it in Python before running this program for it to work?

#!/usr/bin/env python

import sys

if __name__ == '__main__':

    data = sys.stdin.read()
    chars = len(data)
    words = len(data.split())
    lines = len(data.split('\n'))

    print ("{0}   {1}   {2}".format(lines, words, chars))

Thanks for any help!

thanks, @Ashalynd. Well wc utility is just too easy Sebastian =D — aznjonn, Nov 09 '15 at 20:05
Like @J.F.Sebastian says, why not simply use wc -l your-text-file.txt? — Hexatonic, Mar 17 '16 at 14:58

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 09 '15 at 19:57

2

sys.stdin.read() reads data from the console. Just run the python program and type whatever you want. When you're done press Ctrl + D.

answered Nov 09 '15 at 19:57

Rahul

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Steve Barnes · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-09T19:59:10.350

1

The sys.stdin.read() line tells me that it is expecting to receive the input from the standard input so you can use it something like:

type somefile.txt | python wordcount.py

or run python wordcount.py and type into the console ending with ctrl-d

edited Nov 09 '15 at 19:59

answered Nov 09 '15 at 19:57

Steve Barnes

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`python wordcount.py – jfs Nov 09 '15 at 19:58

Python - Word Count script

2 Answers2