def csv_list(value):
    """
    Convert a comma separated string into a list

    Parameters
    ----------
    value : str
        The string object to convert to a list

    Returns
    -------
    list
        A list based on splitting the string on the ',' character
    """
    if value:
        result = []
        for item in value.split(','):
            item = item.strip()
            if item:
                result.append(item)
        return result
    return []