title: How to convert array string to an array in python
body: <p>Im trying to convert an array that ive stored in a mysql database (as a string) to a standard array in python an example of what I mean is:</p>
  
  <p>This is what i get from the database:</p>
  
  <pre><code>"['a',['b','c','d'],'e']" # this is a string in the format of an array that holds strings inside it.
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I need to remove the array from the string so that it acts just like a normal array
  Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm not sure if this has been answered elsewhere, sorry if it has I couldn't find it. 
  Thanks</p>