What does Python's eval() do?

Question

In the book that I am reading on Python, it keeps using the code eval(input(\'blah\'))

I read the documentation, and I understand it, but I still do no

Answer 1

The eval function lets a Python program run Python code within itself.

eval example (interactive shell):

>>> x = 1
>>> eval('x + 1')
2
>>> eval('x')
1