title: Python 3.6 Split() Not enough values to unpack workaround?
body: <p>I keep getting an error in Python when I try to split a single word. From what I read, this is because the default split() command looks for whitespace. The problem is, I want the second assigned variable (asset in this case) to return nothing or null. This is what I am working with:</p>
  
  <pre><code>slack_text.startswith("!help"):
  command, asset = slack_text.split() 
      if asset != "":
          if asset == "commandlist":
              slack_reply = "Available Commands: !addme, !getBalance, !buy &lt;asset&gt; &lt;quantity&gt;"
          elif asset == "ships":
              slack_reply = getAllShips()
          elif asset == "buildings":
              slack_reply = getAllBuildings()
          elif shipExists(asset):
                          slack_reply = getShip(asset)
          elif buildingExists(asset):
               slack_reply = getBuilding(asset)
          else:
               slack_reply = "Not a valid asset."
      else:
          slack_reply = "Available help modifiers are: commandlist, &lt;ship_name&gt;, &lt;building_name&gt;. (!help &lt;modifier&gt;)"
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>So with this code, I can type '!help ships' in Slack and cast no error and return the getAllShips() function. But if I type simply '!help', Python casts an error.</p>
  
  <p>I basically want to be able to return a statement if there is no modifier. However, not having a modifier casts an error. Is there something else I can do to approach this problem? Can someone point me in the right direction here?</p>