If you want to execute Python statements, you can use exec(string). For example,
>>> my_code = 'print "Hello World!"' >>> exec(my_code) Hello World!
But if you just want to evaluate the value of an expression, you can use eval(). For example,
>>> my_expression = "5 + 3" >>> eval(my_expression) 8
Note: Be very cautious while using both eval and exec as they are very powerful functions
and can cause very subtle bugs/ security loopholes in your code.