`eval()` vs. `ast.literal_eval()`: Which is Safer for Evaluating User Input?

Using Python's eval() vs. ast.literal_eval()

Query: When evaluating user-provided data, is it safer to use eval() or ast.literal_eval() to ensure it matches a desired data type?

Solution:

When working with user-provided data, it's crucial to consider security risks. Using eval() can be dangerous as it evaluates any string input as Python code, potentially leading to unexpected or malicious actions.

In the scenario described, datamap = eval(input('Provide some data here: ')) is particularly risky because it evaluates the input as soon as the function is called, leaving no opportunity to validate its type before execution.

A safer alternative is ast.literal_eval(), which checks for valid Python datatypes (e.g., dictionaries) before evaluation. It throws an exception if the input is not a valid type, preventing potentially harmful code from running.

Therefore, when evaluating literal Python datatypes from user inputs, it is strongly recommended to use ast.literal_eval() over eval() to ensure data safety and prevent security vulnerabilities.

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