Formatting output file in python

Question

I am trying to format my output file exactly like my input file. I was wondering if anyone could give me some pointers. My codes are:

input_file=open('measles.txt','r')

f1=input('file name: ')

output_file=open(f1,'w')
for line in input_file:
    newstring=''
    line=line.strip()
    for ch in line:
        newstring+=ch

    print(newstring,file=output_file)

input_file.close()
output_file.close()

The input file looks like this:

Afghanistan                                        WB_LI   65 Eastern Mediterranean     2011
Afghanistan                                        WB_LI   68 Eastern Mediterranean     2012
Albania                                            WB_LMI  90 Europe                    1980
Albania                                            WB_LMI  90 Europe                    1981

and my output file is looking like this:

Afghanistan                                        WB_LI   65 Eastern Mediterranean     2011
Afghanistan                                        WB_LI   68 Eastern Mediterranean     2012
Albania                                           WB_LMI   90 Europe                  1980
Albania                                           WB_LMI   90 Europe                  1981

It is not aligned properly.

Answer 1

You could do:

input_file=open('measles.txt','r')

f1 = 'out.txt'
output_file=open(f1,'w')
for line in input_file:
    line=line.rstrip()
    print(line)

input_file.close()
output_file.close()

But I guess you actually want to modify something in the line before you print it. If you tell me what, I will try and help you.

Answer 2

It looks like the field width is the problem. Try using padding: http://docs.python.org/release/3.0.1/whatsnew/2.6.html#pep-3101

Here's my example for your input:

strings = []
fmt = '{0:30} {1:8} {2:4} {3:30} {4:8}'
strings.append(fmt.format("Afghanistan", "WB_LI", 65, "Eastern Mediterranean", 2011))
strings.append(fmt.format("Afghanistan", "WB_LI", 68, "Eastern Mediterranean", 2012))
strings.append(fmt.format("Albania", "WB_LMI", 90, "Europe", 1980))
strings.append(fmt.format("Albania", "WB_LMI", 90, "Europe", 1981))
for str in strings:
    print(str)

Output:

Afghanistan                    WB_LI      65 Eastern Mediterranean              2011
Afghanistan                    WB_LI      68 Eastern Mediterranean              2012
Albania                        WB_LMI     90 Europe                             1980
Albania                        WB_LMI     90 Europe                             1981

Answer 3

This answer response to your question: How to print a list tuples in a nice format?

Use of Python string format: http://docs.python.org/2/library/string.html#format-examples