Python – Remove leading 0 from Strings List

Last Updated : 09 Mar, 2020

Sometimes, while working with Python, we can have a problem in which we have data in which we need to perform processing and then pass the data forward. One way to process is to remove a stray 0 that may get attached to a string while data transfer. Lets discuss certain ways in which this task can be performed.

Method #1 : Using lstrip() + list comprehension
This is one of the one liner with the help of which this task can be performed. In this, we strip the leading 0 using lstrip and the extension of logic to list is done using list comprehension.

# Python3 code to demonstrate 
# Remove leading 0 from Strings List
# using lstrip() + list comprehension
  
# Initializing list
test_list = ['012', '03', '044', '09']
  
# printing original list
print("The original list is : " + str(test_list))
  
# Remove leading 0 from Strings List
# using lstrip() + list comprehension
res = [ele.lstrip('0') for ele in test_list]
  
# printing result 
print ("The string list after leading 0 removal : " + str(res))

Output :

The original list is : ['012', '03', '044', '09']
The string list after leading 0 removal : ['12', '3', '44', '9']

Method #2 : Using startswith() + loop + list slicing
This is one of the way in which this task can be performed. In this, we check for initial 0 using startswith() and then list slicing is used to remake string excluding 0.

# Python3 code to demonstrate 
# Remove leading 0 from Strings List
# using startswith() + loop + list slicing
  
# Initializing list
test_list = ['012', '03', '044', '09']
  
# printing original list
print("The original list is : " + str(test_list))
  
# Remove leading 0 from Strings List
# using startswith() + loop + list slicing
for idx in range(len(test_list)):
    if test_list[idx].startswith('0'):
        test_list[idx] = test_list[idx][1:]
  
# printing result 
print ("The string list after leading 0 removal : " + str(test_list))

Output :

The original list is : ['012', '03', '044', '09']
The string list after leading 0 removal : ['12', '3', '44', '9']

Attention geek! Strengthen your foundations with the Python Programming Foundation Course and learn the basics.

To begin with, your interview preparations Enhance your Data Structures concepts with the Python DS Course. And to begin with your Machine Learning Journey, join the Machine Learning – Basic Level Course

My Personal Notes

Related Articles

Python – Remove leading 0 from Strings List