title: Can I use K-means algorithm on a string?
body: <p>I am working on a python project where I study RNA structure evolution (represented as a string for example: "(((...)))" where the parenthesis represent basepairs). The point being is that I have an ideal structure and a population that evolves towards the ideal structure. I have implemented everything however I would like to add a feature where I can get the "number of buckets" ie the k most representative structures in the population at each generation.</p>
  
  <p>I was thinking of using the k-means algorithm but I am not sure how to use it with strings. I found <a href="http://docs.scipy.org/doc/scipy/reference/cluster.vq.html">scipy.cluster.vq</a> but I don't know how to use it in my case.</p>
  
  <p>thanks!</p>