create list using toList() then use remove from list questions issue

create list using toList() then use remove from list questions issue

Hi
Still getting my head around this but here are some questions so far

1) toList()

enter_string = "X</span>";
enter_string_as_list = enter_string.toList("</span>");
THE String List will contain a trailing , ie X,
Q1) Is this meant to be like this by design, lets assume it is for whatever reason

2) remove the element
takeout = enter_string_as_list.remove(0);
takeout is now X which is correct

BUT
theemptyaize = enter_string_as_list.size();
returns 1
 
Q2) Should it now not return 0 ?? as the list is empty
I believe it is counting the trailing comma and saying it is a list with 1 element and that element has no value

Thoughts please