python - Convert a string to a list of length one -

i created method requires list in order work properly. however, can send in list or simple string. want turn string list contains entire string element. example, if have:

"i string" 

i want convert to:

["i string"] 

i able so:

"i string".split("!@#$%^&*") 

because never have combination of symbols, convert list without removing characters. however, doesn't seem great of way it. there way?

>>> "abc" 'abc' >>> ["abc"] ['abc'] >>> abc = "abc" >>> abc 'abc' >>> [abc] ['abc'] >>> "i string".split("!@#$%^&*") == ["i string"] true 

putting value in square brackets makes list 1 item, multiple values makes list multiple items. container not follow pattern tuple, round brackets used grouping. in case, add comma after single item:

>>> abc 'abc' >>> (abc) 'abc' >>> (abc,) ('abc',) 

if want function handle list , strings differently under cover, code function like:

def f(maybe_list):     if not isinstance(maybe_list, list):         maybe_list = [maybe_list]     # carry on, have list.