Question

I am trying to print line[4] if there are 4 items, or line [4] and [5] if there are more than 4 items.

def onlinedoc(test):
    for line in test:
        lines = line.split()
        if 'report' in lines:
            if lines > [4]:      #<---- this is where i need help
                doc = lines[4] + lines[5]
            else:
                doc = lines[4]
    return doc

if __name__ == '__main__':
    test = open('test_documentation.txt', 'r')
    print
    onlinedoc(test)

I’m not sure what I’m suppose to put where I have if lines > [4]. I always get IndexError: list index out of range. I have double-checked and the information I want will either be in [4] or [5]. If I copy the lines to a separate text and do it without the if else and just

if 'report' in lines:
    host = lines[4] + lines[5]

then it works (on a line with 5).

Answer 1

you should use if len(lines)> 4