Python String lstrip() method

Python String lstrip() method returns a copy of the string with leading characters removed (based on the string argument passed). If no argument is passed, it removes leading spaces.

Syntax:

string.lstrip(characters)

Parameters:

• characters [optional]: A set of characters to remove as leading characters.

Returns:

Returns a copy of the string with leading characters stripped.

Example 1

Python3

# Python3 program to demonstrate the use of
# lstrip() method using default parameter

# string which is to be stripped
string = "   geeksforgeeks"

# Removes spaces from left.
print(string.lstrip())

Output:

geeksforgeeks

Example 2

Python3

# Python3 program to demonstrate the use of
# lstrip() method using optional parameters

# string which is to be stripped
string = "++++x...y!!z* geeksforgeeks"

# Removes given set of characters from left.
print(string.lstrip("+.!*xyz"))

Output:

geeksforgeeks

Example 3

Python3

# string which is to be stripped
string = "geeks for geeks"

# Argument doesn't contain leading 'g'
# So, no characters are removed
print(string.lstrip('ge'))

Output:

ks for geeks

Example 4

There is a runtime error when we try to strip anything except a string. 

Python3

# Python3 program to demonstrate the use of
# strip() method error

string = " geeks for geeks "
list =[1, 2, 3]

# prints the error message
print(list.lstrip())

Output: 

print(list.lstrip()) 
AttributeError: 'list' object has no attribute 'lstrip'