How to convert 'binary string' to normal string in Python3?

Question

For example, I have a string like this(return value of subprocess.check_output):

>>> b'a string'
b'a string'

Whatever I did to it, it is always printed with the annoying b' before the string:

>>> print(b'a string')
b'a string'
>>> print(str(b'a string'))
b'a string'

Does anyone have any ideas about how to use it as a normal string or convert it into a normal string?

falsetru · Answer 1 · 2013-07-12 12:55:43Z

up vote 5 down vote

Decode it.

>>> b'a string'.decode('ascii')
'a string'

To get bytes from string, encode it.

>>> 'a string'.encode('ascii')
b'a string'

answered Jul 12 '13 at 12:55

falsetru
53.6k93258

1 Answer