Array Flatten

flatten.py

# Simple recursive solution
def flatten(ls):
	"""Flatten an array.
	
	Arguments:
	ls -- List to flatten
	"""
	if type(ls) is not list:
		raise ValueError("Invalid parameter")
	flat = []
	for elem in ls:
		# Exit function if element is not int or list
		if type(elem) not in (int, list):
			raise Exception("Cannot parse on or more list elements")
		# Continue parsing
		if type(elem) == list:
			try:
				nested = flatten(elem)
				flat.extend(nested)
			except Exception as e:
				raise Exception(str(e))
		else:
			flat.append(elem)
	return flat

# Funny but working solution
def string_flatten(ls):
	"""Flatten an array.
	
	Arguments:
	ls -- List to flatten
	"""
	if type(ls) is not list:
		raise ValueError("Invalid parameter")
	ls_string = str(ls)
	mapping = dict.fromkeys(map(ord, '[]'), None)
	ls_string = ls_string.translate(mapping)
	return ls_string.split(',')