parsing - Python Parse CSV Correctly

Question

I am very new to Python. I want to parse a csv file such that it will recognize quoted values - for example

1997,Ford,E350,"Super, luxurious truck"

should be split as

('1997', 'Ford', 'E350', 'Super, luxurious truck')

and NOT

('1997', 'Ford', 'E350', '"Super', ' luxurious truck"')

the above is what I get if I use something like str.split(,).

How do I do this? Also would it be best to store these values in an array or some other data structure? because after I get these values from the csv I want to be able to easily choose, lets say any two of the columns and store it as another array or some other data structure.

Answer 1

You should use the csv module:

import csv
reader = csv.reader(['1997,Ford,E350,"Super, luxurious truck"'], skipinitialspace=True)
for r in reader:
    print r

output:

['1997', 'Ford', 'E350', 'Super, luxurious truck']