Python split() Function: Usage and Examples

Hello, this is BlockDMask.

Today, we’ll learn about the split() function in Python. This function is commonly used to split a string into a list using a specified delimiter.

Let’s explore how it works with some practical examples.

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📚 Table of Contents

1. What is the split() function?
2. Examples of using split()

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1. What is the split() function?

Function Syntax:

string.split()
string.split('delimiter')
string.split('delimiter', maxsplit)
string.split(sep='delimiter', maxsplit=n)

The split() function divides a string into parts based on a separator and returns a list of those parts.

More formally:

string.split(sep, maxsplit)

It splits the string using the specified sep (separator) up to maxsplit times and returns a list.

🔸 sep parameter

• Default is None, which splits on whitespace and newline characters
• Example: string.split(sep=',') splits on comma
• Short form: string.split(',') is also valid

🔸 maxsplit parameter

• Default is -1 (no limit)
• string.split(maxsplit=1) splits only once
• Can't use maxsplit alone — must follow a sep

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2. Examples of the split() Function

🧪 Example 1: Basic split with whitespace

s = "Block DMask Python Flutter CSharp"
print(f'Original string   : {s}')

r = s.split()
print(f'After split()     : {r}')

Output:

Original string   : Block DMask Python Flutter CSharp
After split()     : ['Block', 'DMask', 'Python', 'Flutter', 'CSharp']

This splits the string using default whitespace, returning a list of 5 items.

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🧪 Example 2: Using a custom separator

s = "11.Block.22.DMask.33.Split.44.Function"
print(f'Original string   : {s}')

r0 = s.split()
r1 = s.split('.')
r2 = s.split(sep='.')
print(f's.split()         : {r0}')
print(f"s.split('.')       : {r1}")
print(f"s.split(sep='.')   : {r2}")

Output:

s.split()         : ['11.Block.22.DMask.33.Split.44.Function']
s.split('.')       : ['11', 'Block', '22', 'DMask', '33', 'Split', '44', 'Function']
s.split(sep='.')   : ['11', 'Block', '22', 'DMask', '33', 'Split', '44', 'Function']

This example shows how split() works with a '.' separator.

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🧪 Example 3: Using maxsplit to limit how many times it splits

s = "alpha.11.beta.22.gamma.33.delta.44"
print(f'Original string   : {s}')

r1 = s.split('.', 3)
r2 = s.split(sep='.', maxsplit=3)
r3 = s.split('.', maxsplit=3)
print(f"s.split('.', 3)                   : {r1}")
print(f"s.split(sep='.', maxsplit=3)      : {r2}")
print(f"s.split('.', maxsplit=3)          : {r3}")

Output:

s.split('.', 3)                   : ['alpha', '11', 'beta', '22.gamma.33.delta.44']
s.split(sep='.', maxsplit=3)      : ['alpha', '11', 'beta', '22.gamma.33.delta.44']
s.split('.', maxsplit=3)          : ['alpha', '11', 'beta', '22.gamma.33.delta.44']

This shows how maxsplit controls the number of splits.

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🧾 Summary

The split() function is essential for parsing and processing strings in Python.

From basic whitespace splitting to custom delimiters and split limits, it's a tool every Python beginner and pro should master.

Thanks for reading!
— BlockDMask