What does input () strip () do in python?

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strip() is an inbuilt function in Python programming language that returns a copy of the string with both leading and trailing characters removed (based on the string argument passed). 
Syntax: 

string.strip([chars])
Parameter: 
There is only one optional parameter in it:
1)chars - a string specifying 
the set of characters to be removed. 

If the optional chars parameter is not given, all leading 
and trailing whitespaces are removed from the string.
Return Value:
Returns a copy of the string with both leading and trailing characters removed.

Python3

string =

print(string)

print(string.strip())  

print(string.strip(' geeks'))

Output:

    geeks for geeks     
geeks for geeks
for

Python3

str1 = 'geeks for geeks'

print(str1)

str2 = 'ekgs'

print(str1.strip(str2))

Output:

geeks for geeks
 for

Working of above code : 
We first construct a string str1 = ‘geeks for geeks’ 
Now we call strip method over str1 and pass str2 = ‘ekgs’ as argument. 
Now python interpreter trace str1 from left.It remove the character of str1 if it is present in str2. 
Otherwise it stops tracing. 
Now python interpreter trace str1 from right. It remove the character of str1 if it is present in str2. 
Otherwise it stop tracing. 
Now at last it returns the resultant string.
When we call strip() without argument, it removes leading and trailing spaces. 
 

Python3

str1 =

print(str1)

print(str1.strip())

Output: 

geeks for geeks

Practical application: 
Given a string remove occurrence of word “the” from the beginning and the end. 
 

Python

string = " the King has the largest army in the entire world the"

print(string.strip(" the"))

Input:

the King has the largest army in the entire world the

Output: 

King has the largest army in the entire world