Python raw_input() Function
Python raw_input() is used to obtain input from the console.
raw_input() treats all input as a string and returns a string type.
Note: Both input() and raw_input() can receive strings, but raw_input() directly reads console input (it can accept any type of input). For input(), it expects to read a legal Python expression; that is, when you enter a string, you must enclose it in quotes, otherwise it will raise a SyntaxError.
Unless you have a special need for input(), in general we recommend using raw_input() to interact with the user.
Note: In Python 3, input() receives the str type by default.
Function Syntax
raw_input([prompt])
Parameter description:
- prompt: Optional, string; can be used as a prompt.
Examples
raw_input() treats all input as a string
>>>a = raw_input("input:")
input:123
>>> type(a)
<type 'str'> # string
>>> a = raw_input("input:")
input:example
>>> type(a)
<type 'str'> # string
>>>
input() requires a Python expression as input
>>>a = input("input:")
input:123 # enter an integer
>>> type(a)
<type 'int'> # integer
>>> a = input("input:")
input:"example" # correct, string expression
>>> type(a)
<type 'str'> # string
>>> a = input("input:")
input:example # error, not an expression
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
NameError: name 'example' is not defined
<type 'str'>
Python Built-in Functions