how to normalize or decode an URL in python?

Question

I have a link like below

http%253A%252F.....25252520.doc

How do i convert this to normal link in python?..the link has lots of encoded stuff..

Just saw the answer on other question.. – Abul Hasnat Jun 25 '13 at 13:57 — Abul Hasnat, Jun 25 '13 at 13:57

Ashwini Chaudhary · Answer 1 · 2013-06-25T14:05:47.963

4

Apply urllib.unquote twice:

>>> import urllib
>>> strs = urllib.unquote("http%253A%252F.....25252520.doc")
>>> urllib.unquote(strs)
'http:/.....25252520.doc'

edited Jun 25 '13 at 14:05

answered Jun 25 '13 at 13:53

Ashwini Chaudhary

244,495
58
464
504

2

And `urllib.parse.unquote` for python3.5+ https://docs.python.org/3.6/library/urllib.parse.html#urllib.parse.unquote – Desprit Jun 03 '20 at 08:36

Martijn Pieters · Answer 2 · 2013-06-25T13:59:05.533

2

Use urllib.unquote():

Replace %xx escapes by their single-character equivalent.

It looks as if you have a double or ever triple encoded URL; the http:// part has been encoded to http%253A%252F which decodes to http%3A%2F which in turn becomes http:/. The URL itself may contain another stage of encoding but you didn't share enough of the actual URL with us to determine that.

edited Jun 25 '13 at 13:59

answered Jun 25 '13 at 13:49

Martijn Pieters

1,048,767
296
4,058
3,343

Although in OP's example, you have to unquote it _twice_. First, all those `%25` are unquoted to `%`, then the actual unquoting is done. – tobias_k Jun 25 '13 at 13:56

how to normalize or decode an URL in python?

2 Answers2