ValueError: too many values to unpack (expected 2)

Question

In the Python tutorial book I'm using, I typed an example given for simultaneous assignment. I get the aforementioned ValueError when I run the program, and can't figure out why.

Here's the code:

#avg2.py
#A simple program to average two exam scores
#Illustrates use of multiple input

def main():
    print("This program computes the average of two exam scores.")

    score1, score2 = input("Enter two scores separated by a comma: ")
    average = (int(score1) + int(score2)) / 2.0

    print("The average of the scores is:", average)

main()

Here's the output.

>>> import avg2
This program computes the average of two exam scores.
Enter two scores separated by a comma: 69, 87
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<pyshell#4>", line 1, in <module>
    import avg2
  File "C:\Python34\avg2.py", line 13, in <module>
    main()
  File "C:\Python34\avg2.py", line 8, in main
    score1, score2 = input("Enter two scores separated by a comma: ")
ValueError: too many values to unpack (expected 2)

Answer 1

Judging by the prompt message, you forgot to call str.split at the end of the 8th line:

score1, score2 = input("Enter two scores separated by a comma: ").split(",")
#                                                                ^^^^^^^^^^^

Doing so splits the input on the comma. See a demonstration below:

>>> input("Enter two scores separated by a comma: ").split(",")
Enter two scores separated by a comma: 10,20
['10', '20']
>>> score1, score2 = input("Enter two scores separated by a comma: ").split(",")
Enter two scores separated by a comma: 10,20
>>> score1
'10'
>>> score2
'20'
>>>