python - Index out of Range in a 'for' loop -

i working on project converting csv file arcgis shapefile, involves writing output separate file. have created list each column in each row , trying index column 36 , 37. however, getting list index out of range error message when doing this. suggestions may doing?

while line:     count = count + 1     line = infile.readline()     print 'row', count, 'line info=', line[:72]     linelist = line.split(',')     newlist = linelist[:72]     print 'line info =', newlist        item in newlist[36]:         item.replace("", "0")     item in newlist[37]:         item.replace("", "0")     newline = ','.join(newlist)     newline = newline + '\n'        formatline = newline.replace("/","_")     outfile.write(formatline)  

it if edit question include line error says having index out of range problem.

i believe issue this:

while line: # line other whitespace     line = infile.readline() # next line becomes whitespace, there might trailing newline character in file     ...     newlist = line.split(',')[:72] # if line.split(',') doesn't return list @ least 72 values, there not error here- merely return shorter list.     item in newlist[36]: # newlist empty list @ point.     ... 

on side note, typed following python shell:

>>> bool("") false >>> bool(" ") true >>> bool("\n") true 

as can see, if there line has space in it, loop would've continued well.