Automating Repetitive Tasks with Python: A Simple Guide to Identifying Multivalue Entries in CSV Files
Highly skilled Data Test Automation professional with over 10 years of experience in data quality assurance and software testing. Proven ability to design, execute, and automate testing across the entire SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) utilizing Agile and Waterfall methodologies. Expertise in End-to-End DWBI project testing and experience working in GCP, AWS, and Azure cloud environments. Proficient in SQL and Python scripting for data test automation.
Introduction
In today's fast-paced work environment, automation has become a crucial tool to optimize efficiency and reduce manual workload. One of the best ways to learn Python is by applying it to real-world problems, like automating repetitive tasks. In this blog, I'll walk you through a recent project where I used Python to automate the identification of multivalue entries in CSV files and save the results to a text file.
Why Automate?
Manual tasks can be time-consuming, prone to error, and tedious. By automating these tasks, you not only save time but also ensure accuracy and consistency. Plus, it's a great way to learn and practice Python. When you automate tasks that are directly relevant to your work, you immediately see the value of your efforts.
The Problem
I was dealing with large CSV files, and I needed to identify rows that contained multi value entries in specific columns. Doing this manually would have taken hours, so I decided to write a Python script to handle it for me.
The Solution: Python Script
Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how I automated this task:
Reading the CSV File: Using Python's
csvmodule, I loaded the data into a list of dictionaries.Identifying Multivalue Entries: I wrote a function to check each cell for multivalue entries
Writing Results to a Text File: Finally, I stored the rows with multivalue entries in a text file along with the field name.
Here's a simplified version of the script:
Sample Input File:
Script Output:
The Impact
By automating this task, I was able to reduce what would have been hours of manual work to just a few seconds. This not only increased efficiency but also minimized the risk of human error.
Learning by Doing
If you're looking to learn Python or improve your skills, there's no better way than by automating tasks you encounter in your daily work. Start small, identify repetitive tasks, and see how you can simplify them with Python. Each project will teach you something new, and you'll gain practical experience that directly benefits your work.
