Evaluating a mathematical expression in a string

Question

stringExp = \"2^4\"
intVal = int(stringExp)      # Expected value: 16

This returns the following error:

Traceback (most recent call         


        

Answer 1

I think I would use eval(), but would first check to make sure the string is a valid mathematical expression, as opposed to something malicious. You could use a regex for the validation.

eval() also takes additional arguments which you can use to restrict the namespace it operates in for greater security.