Pretty table

gistfile1.py

import csv

from pprint import pprint

FN = 'tmpdata.txt'


def write_csv(fn, lines = 4):
    '''writes a csv with a header, total and lines lines inbetween'''
    with open(fn, mode='w') as fh:
        w = csv.writer(fh, delimiter=',')
        w.writerow(['header'] + ['data']*3)
        for _ in range(lines):
            w.writerow(['line'] + ['data']*3)

        w.writerow(['total'] + ['data']*3)

def read_csv(fn):
    '''reads csv named fn and returns data in two dimensional list'''
    data = []
    with open(fn, mode='r') as fh:
        reader = csv.reader(fh, delimiter=',')
        for row in reader:
            if row:
                data.append(row) # stupid blank rows!
    return data

def pretty_table(table):
    '''adds in the three new headers, one short on top '''
    ''' and two full in line'''
    table.insert(0,['','extra header 1','exh','exh'])
    table.insert(2,['extra header 2','exh','exh','exh'])
    table.insert(-1,['extra header 3','exh','exh','exh'])
    return table

def pretty_table_dict(table):
    '''adds in the same headers, but stores them in a dict'''
    '''this allows for easier expansion in the future '''
    '''but take care as dictionaries are not ordered!'''
    '''so since you are modifying the table as you go, you need to take care'''
    '''that everything is in the right order'''
    
    a_dict = {0:['','extra header 1','exh','exh'],
              2:['extra header 2','exh','exh','exh'],
              -1:['extra header 3','exh','exh','exh']
              }
    for k,v in sorted(a_dict.items()):
        # print(k) -- note this would show you that it runs in the following order:
        # -1, 0, 2 --> so be careful how you structure
        table.insert(k,v)
    return table


def main():
    write_csv(FN, lines = 9) # write a new csv file -- try changing lines = x to mess it up
    table = read_csv(FN) # now load it into table
    pprint(table) # let's see how it looks at the start
    table = pretty_table_dict(table) # now let's make it pretty
    pprint(table) # and print again


if __name__ == '__main__':

    main()