Python parsing json data

Question

I have a json object saved inside test_data and I need to know if the string inside test_data['sign_in_info']['package_type'] contains the string "vacation_package" in it. I assumed that in could help but I'm not sure how to use it properly or if it ́s correct to use it. This is an example of the json object:

"checkout_details": {
 "file_name" : "pnc04",
 "test_directory" : "test_pnc04_package_today3_signedout_noinsurance_cc",
 "scope": "wdw",
 "number_of_adults": "2",
 "number_of_children": "0",
 "sign_in_info": {
 "should_login": false,
 **"package_type": "vacation_package"**
 },

package type has "vacation_package" in it, but it's not always this way. For now I ́m only saving the data this way:

package_type = test_data['sign_in_info']['package_type']

Now, is it ok to do something like:

p= "vacation_package"
if(p in package_type):
 ....

Or do I have to use 're' to cut the string and find it that way?

• Brian Cain: is test_data['sign_in_info']['package_type'] == 'vacation_package' not appropriate?

Answer 1

You answer depends on what exactly you expect to get from test_data['sign_in_info']['package_type']. Will 'vacation_package' always be by itself? Then in is fine. Could it be part of a larger string? Then you need to use re.search. It might be safer just to use re.search (and a good opportunity to practice regular expressions).

• NachoMiguel: That's my concern. "vacation_package" may noy always be alone, sometimes comes with something like "vacation_package_tickets". So re would be a good solution?
• James Kelleher: Using re.search would definitely work. You might be able to use just ==, but that would fail in the case of something like "vacation_package, vacation_package_tickets".

Answer 2

No need to use re, assuming you are using the json package. Yes, it's okay to do that, but are you trying to see if there is a "package type" listed, or if the package type contains vacation_package, possibly among other things? If not, this might be closer to what you want, as it checks for exact matches:

import json
data = json.load(open('file.json'))
if data['sign_in_info'].get('package_type') == "vacation_package":
 pass # do something