Binary/decimal/hex converter using Tkinter

Question

I debated long and hard before posting this question, and I did a lot of experimenting. I just can't seem to work out an 'elegant', concise way to get done what I want done in the manner I want it done. I found it very hard to research because of the difficulty in not knowing exactly what to search for.

Again, I am writing a converter for binary, decimal and hex using Tkinter and not using any of Python's built-in math functions.

In the code I have one class, within it many methods. I have the methods to convert from binary to decimal and hex working correctly (bin_to_dec & bin_to_hex, respectively). I am now working on the 'from decimal' conversions. I have the dec_to_bin method working correctly, as well. My issue is with the dec_to_hex method. I want it to use the dec_to_bin method to convert the string to binary first and then use the bin_to_hex method for the final conversion. In doing this it has to overlook the lines of code that tell the 2 methods to display their results; but rather to store the results and transport them to the dec_to_hex method.

I'm going to post the entire code except for the method that creates the Tkinter widgets:

def base_check(self):
 """ Disable Checkbox that's connected with chosen Radiobutton. """
 sel_radio = self.base.get()
 for radio, cb in self.cb_to_radio.items():
 if radio == sel_radio:
 cb.configure(state = DISABLED)
 else:
 cb.configure(state = NORMAL) 
def conv_segue(self):
 """ Decides and directs towards proper conversion method. 
 Reading the 'convert from' radiobuttons. """
 base = self.base.get()
 if base == 'bin':
 bits = self.input_str.get()
 # test string validity 
 bit_list = list(bits)
 ill_bits = ['2', '3', '4', '5', '6', '7', '8', '9']
 for bit in bit_list:
 if bit in ill_bits:
 self.output_disp.delete(0.0, END)
 self.output_disp.insert(0.0, "That bit string is invalid.")
 break
 else: 
 self.from_binary(self.dec_bttn, self.hex_bttn)
 ##
 # learned here that I had to break once the match was found (if found) and that a 'for'
 # loop can use an else block too
 ##
 elif base == 'dec':
 self.from_dec(self.bin_bttn, self.hex_bttn)
 elif base == 'hex':
 self.from_hex(self.bin_bttn, self.dec_bttn)
def from_binary(self, dec_bttn, hex_bttn):
 """ Finds what base to convert to (Decimal or Hex) from binary. """
 if self.dec_bttn.get():
 self.bin_to_dec() 
 if self.hex_bttn.get():
 self.bin_to_hex()
 #if self.dec_bttn.get() and self.hex_bttn.get():
 #(self.bin_to_dec, self.bin_to_hex)
def from_dec(self, bin_bttn, hex_bttn):
 """ Finds what base to convert to (Binary or Hex) from decimal. """
 if self.bin_bttn.get():
 self.dec_to_bin()
 if self.hex_bttn.get():
 self.dec_to_hex()
def dec_to_bin(self):
 """ Convert from decimal to binary. """
 # get input string and convert to an integer
 digits = self.input_str.get()
 digits = int(digits)
 bit_string = ""
 # do the conversion
 while digits:
 bit, ans = digits%2, digits//2
 bit = str(bit)
 bit_string += bit
 digits = ans
 total = bit_string[::-1]
 self.total = total
 # print output
 self.print_result(total)
 #return total
def dec_to_hex(self):
 bit_str = self.dec_to_bin().self.total
 self.bit_str = bit_str
 print(self.bit_str)
def bin_to_dec(self):
 """ Convert from binary to decimal. """
 # get input string
 bits = self.input_str.get()
 # set exponent
 exp = len(self.input_str.get()) - 1
 tot = 0
 # do conversion
 while exp >= 1:
 for i in bits[:-1]:
 if i == '1':
 tot += 2**exp
 elif i == '0':
 tot = tot 
 exp -= 1
 if bits[-1] == '1':
 tot += 1
 total = tot
 # print output
 self.print_result(total)
 #return total
def bin_to_hex(self):
 """ Convert from binary to hex. """
 # get input string
 bits = self.input_str.get()
 # define hex digits
 hex_digits = {
 10: 'a', 11: 'b',
 12: 'c', 13: 'd',
 14: 'e', 15: 'f'
 }
 # add number of necessary 0's so bit string is multiple of 4
 string_length = len(bits)
 number_stray_bits = string_length % 4
 # test if there are any 'stray bits'
 if number_stray_bits > 0: 
 number_zeros = 4 - number_stray_bits
 bits = '0'*number_zeros + bits
 string_length = len(bits)
 # index slicing positions
 low_end = 0
 high_end = 4
 total = ""
 # slice bit string into half byte segments
 while high_end <= string_length:
 exp = 3
 half_byte = bits[low_end:high_end]
 # do conversion
 tot = 0
 while exp >= 1:
 for i in half_byte[:-1]:
 if i == '1':
 tot += 2**exp
 elif i == '0':
 tot = tot 
 exp -= 1
 if half_byte[-1] == '1':
 tot += 1
 # check if tot needs conversion to hex digits 
 for i in hex_digits.keys():
 if i == tot:
 tot = hex_digits[i]
 else:
 tot = tot
 # store and concatenate tot for each while iteration 
 tot = str(tot)
 total += tot 
 # move right to next half byte string 
 low_end += 4
 high_end += 4
 # print the output 
 self.print_result(total)
 #return total
def print_result(self, total):
 """ display the result of conversion. """
 self.output_disp.delete(0.0, END)
 self.output_disp.insert(0.0, total)

I've tried to make it as easy to read for anyone who attempts to help me as possible. The dec_to_hex method is a bit of a mess right now, I have been messing with it. With the code posted I think its a bit more clear what exactly I'm trying to do. Its very simple code as I haven't a lot of Python experience.

Its all in one class, and I'm trying to do it without the need to copy the code from the two methods I want to use for the dec_to_hex method (dec_to_bin & bin_to_hex).

I thought about breaking it into different classes and using inheritance, but I can't see where that will help me at all

My final decision to post the question now while I continue to mess with it came because I'm sure once its figured out I'm going to have learned something very important, and probably a concept or two that I don't have a complete grasp on will become clearer.

I hope someone will be willing to give me a little direction in this matter. I get an adrenalin rush when I see progress getting made. Its also very well commented and docstringed so it shouldn't be a problem for anyone.

I also thought that this would be a great situation to use some equivalent to the XHTML anchors, but then I realized they are about the same as the old goto command from my 6th grade BASIC days and figured Python was too 'clean' to use that.

• Chris Morgan: Kill dead code and variables; from_binary arguments dec_bttn and hex_bttn are useless and should be removed.

Answer 1

Use more python, e.g. instead of:

for i in hex_digits.keys():
 if i == tot:
 tot = hex_digits[i]
 else:
 tot = tot

Remove extraneous keys() and it becomes:

for i in hex_digits:
 if i == tot:
 tot = hex_digits[i]
 else:
 tot = tot

Then remove unnecessary else and it is:

for i in hex_digits:
 if i == tot:
 tot = hex_digits[i]

And finally remove the loop:

tot = hex_digits.get(i, tot)

There I saved you a loop, a branch and 4 out of 5 lines of code.

A few iterations like this over the entire module and you might like your code after all!

• Icsilk: Thanks, I'll go through it and clean it up a bit. My problem is I don't prep with any pseudo-code, I just kinda wing it as I go. Terrible habit, I know.
• Winston Ewert: @Icsilk, no pseudo code is a terrible habit. I don't know of any serious coders who actually use it.
• David Z: I write pseudocode from time to time, and I'd consider myself a serious (albeit not professional) coder... but I certainly wouldn't say not using pseudocode is a terrible habit.

Answer 2

def base_check(self):
 """ Disable Checkbox that's connected with chosen Radiobutton. """
 sel_radio = self.base.get()
 for radio, cb in self.cb_to_radio.items():
 if radio == sel_radio:
 cb.configure(state = DISABLED)
 else:
 cb.configure(state = NORMAL) 
def conv_segue(self):
 """ Decides and directs towards proper conversion method. 
 Reading the 'convert from' radiobuttons. """
 base = self.base.get()
 if base == 'bin':
 bits = self.input_str.get()
 # test string validity 
 bit_list = list(bits)

It's not neccessary to listify the bits. You can iterate over a string just like a list.

 ill_bits = ['2', '3', '4', '5', '6', '7', '8', '9']

I'd make this a string rather then a list and iterate over that.

 for bit in bit_list:
 if bit in ill_bits:

Instead, I'd use if any(bit in ill_bits for bit in bit_list). Also, why don't you check for bits that are 1 or 0, rather then explicitly listing the other options. What if the user inputs a letter?

 self.output_disp.delete(0.0, END)
 self.output_disp.insert(0.0, "That bit string is invalid.")
 break
 else: 
 self.from_binary(self.dec_bttn, self.hex_bttn)
 ##
 # learned here that I had to break once the match was found (if found) and that a 'for'
 # loop can use an else block too
 ##
 elif base == 'dec':
 self.from_dec(self.bin_bttn, self.hex_bttn)
 elif base == 'hex':
 self.from_hex(self.bin_bttn, self.dec_bttn)

I don't see this function anywhere

Why do you perform sanity checks for binary, and not the other bases?

def from_binary(self, dec_bttn, hex_bttn):
 """ Finds what base to convert to (Decimal or Hex) from binary. """

Why are you ussing dec_bttn and hex_bttn around if you just use self.dec_bttn anyways?

 if self.dec_bttn.get():
 self.bin_to_dec() 
 if self.hex_bttn.get():
 self.bin_to_hex()
 #if self.dec_bttn.get() and self.hex_bttn.get():
 #(self.bin_to_dec, self.bin_to_hex)
def from_dec(self, bin_bttn, hex_bttn):
 """ Finds what base to convert to (Binary or Hex) from decimal. """
 if self.bin_bttn.get():
 self.dec_to_bin()
 if self.hex_bttn.get():
 self.dec_to_hex()
def dec_to_bin(self):
 """ Convert from decimal to binary. """
 # get input string and convert to an integer
 digits = self.input_str.get()
 digits = int(digits)
 bit_string = ""
 # do the conversion
 while digits:
 bit, ans = digits%2, digits//2
 bit = str(bit)
 bit_string += bit
 digits = ans
 total = bit_string[::-1]

Python has a function, bin that does this conversion to binary for you.

 self.total = total
 # print output
 self.print_result(total)
 #return total
def dec_to_hex(self):
 bit_str = self.dec_to_bin().self.total

What?

 self.bit_str = bit_str
 print(self.bit_str)

I'm not seeing the hex.

def bin_to_dec(self):
 """ Convert from binary to decimal. """
 # get input string
 bits = self.input_str.get()
 # set exponent
 exp = len(self.input_str.get()) - 1
 tot = 0
 # do conversion
 while exp >= 1:
 for i in bits[:-1]:
 if i == '1':
 tot += 2**exp
 elif i == '0':
 tot = tot 
 exp -= 1
 if bits[-1] == '1':
 tot += 1
 total = tot
 # print output
 self.print_result(total)
 #return total

Use int(string_number, 2) to read in a binary number.

def bin_to_hex(self):
 """ Convert from binary to hex. """
 # get input string
 bits = self.input_str.get()
 # define hex digits
 hex_digits = {
 10: 'a', 11: 'b',
 12: 'c', 13: 'd',
 14: 'e', 15: 'f'
 }
 # add number of necessary 0's so bit string is multiple of 4
 string_length = len(bits)
 number_stray_bits = string_length % 4
 # test if there are any 'stray bits'
 if number_stray_bits > 0: 
 number_zeros = 4 - number_stray_bits
 bits = '0'*number_zeros + bits
 string_length = len(bits)

Python has an rjust method on strings that'll pad strings to a desired length. I think you can simplify this code using that.

 # index slicing positions
 low_end = 0
 high_end = 4
 total = ""
 # slice bit string into half byte segments
 while high_end <= string_length:

You should really use a for loop like for high_end in xrange(0, string_length, 4): exp = 3 half_byte = bits[low_end:high_end]

 # do conversion
 tot = 0

Don't abbreviate variables. It saves you almost nothing and makes your code harder to read.

 while exp >= 1:

This doesn't really serve a purpose because exp is decremented by the inner loop.

 for i in half_byte[:-1]:

I'd use for exponent, letter in enumerate(halt_byte[::-1]).

 if i == '1':
 tot += 2**exp
 elif i == '0':
 tot = tot 

Completely pointless. Doesn't assign variables to themselves

 exp -= 1
 if half_byte[-1] == '1':
 tot += 1

Why didn't you do this in the loop: exp**0 = 1

 # check if tot needs conversion to hex digits 
 for i in hex_digits.keys():
 if i == tot:
 tot = hex_digits[i]
 else:
 tot = tot

Its a dictionary. don't use a loop on it. Put all of the numbers in it, not just the non-digit ones. Then use tot = hex_digits[tot]

 # store and concatenate tot for each while iteration 
 tot = str(tot)
 total += tot 

I'd combine those two lines

 # move right to next half byte string 
 low_end += 4
 high_end += 4

If you use a for loop like I suggested this should be unneccesary.

Actually python has a hex function which will convert a number to hex. It'll replace pretty much this entire function.

 # print the output 
 self.print_result(total)
 #return total
def print_result(self, total):
 """ display the result of conversion. """
 self.output_disp.delete(0.0, END)
 self.output_disp.insert(0.0, total)

This function doesn't really print. So I'd find a better name.

Here's how I'd approach it.

def convert_base(number_text, from_base, to_base):
 BASES = {
 'decimal' : 10,
 'hex' : 16,
 'binary', 2)
 number = int(number_text, BASES[from_base])
 if to_base == 'decimal':
 return str(number)
 elif to_base == 'hex':
 return hex(number)[2:]
 elif to_base == 'binary':
 return bin(number)[2:]
 else:
 raise ValueError('Unknown base: ' + base)

In general conversions work best by converting to some neutral format, (in this case, a python integer), and then into your final format. That way you don't have to write conversion between every possible format. Instead, you just a conversion for each format into the neutral format and then out of the neutral format.

Answer 3

you could pass a second parameter to dec_to_bin and dec_to_hex to let the function know whether you want to return a value or print it.

def dec_to_bin(self,ret=0):
 ....
 if ret == 0:
 self.print_result(total)
 else:
 return total

Then call the function like:

binstr = dec_to_bin(1) #to assign the return value to binstr

• Shish: When python has True and False built in, using numbers to approximate them seems odd...

Answer 4

I'd split out the x_to_y methods into a separate package, and rather than having them do all of input, processing, output, have them just do processing.

def hex_to_bin(hex_input):
 ... processing goes here ...
 return bin_output

And then in your GUI app, you have the input and output:

hex_input = self.input_box.get_value()
bin_output = hex_to_bin(hex_input)
self.output_box.set_value(bin_output)