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Solve the following problem using Python, implementing the functions described below, one line at a time
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Description:
 def elevation_along_path(client, path, samples):
 """ Provides elevation data sampled along a path on the surface of the earth. :param path: An encoded polyline string, or a list of latitude/longitude values from which you wish to calculate elevation data. :type path: string, dict, list, or tuple :param samples: The number of sample points along a path for which to return elevation data. :type samples: int :rtype: list of elevation data responses """


    if type(path) is str:
        path = "enc:%s" % path
    else:
        path = convert.shortest_path(path)

    params = {
        "path": path,
        "samples": samples
    }

    return client._request("/maps/api/elevation/json", params).get("results", [])