Python: Essential Reference, Third Edition

struct

The struct module is used to convert data between Python and binary data structures (represented as Python strings). These data structures are often used when interacting with functions written in C or with binary network protocols.

pack(fmt,
						v1,
						v2, ...)

Packs the values v1, v2, and so on into a string according to the format string in fmt.

unpack(fmt,
						string)

Unpacks the contents of string according to the format string in fmt. Returns a tuple of the unpacked values.

calcsize(fmt)

Calculates the size in bytes of the structure corresponding to a format string, fmt.

The format string is a sequence of characters with the following interpretations:

Format	C Type	Python Type
'x'	pad byte	No value
'c'	char	String of length 1
'b'	signed char	Integer