Able to print results but not return, due to syntax error: 'return' outside function.

Question

Hello,
I've managed to get the code to print the answers required for this challenge, but when I changed it to return it gives the SyntaxError: 'return' outside function
Please see my work attached and help (probably a very newbie mistake!)
Thanks,
jk
```item.py
import random
while True:
    start = input("Press enter/return to start, or enter Q to quit: ")
    if start.lower() == 'q':
        break
# enter a word
random_item = input("Key in a single word: ")

if random_item.isalpha():
    print("You choice of word is {}".format(random_item))

elif not random_item.isalpha():
    print("A single word is made up of alphabets, not with numbers, spaces, or special characters!@#$%^&*:")
    break

y = len(random_item)
yy = y-1
z = random_item
x = (random.randint(0,yy))
print(x)
final = (z[x])
print(final)
```

andren · Accepted Answer

The error message is actually pretty straightforward in this case, return is a keyword used for returning information from a function, as such it cannot be used outside a function. You have not actually made any function in your solution. I would recommend that you go back and rewatch the Fully Functional (https://teamtreehouse.com/library/python-basics/logic-in-python/fully-functional) video where the concept of creating functions are explained and demonstrated.
Also the function issue aside your code does far more than what the challenge asks for, when doing these challenges it's always best to keep the code as simple as possible. The code should fulfill the exact criteria of the challenge instructions but should not go beyond that. You don't have to do any looping, printing, validation or anything like that to solve this challenge.
Also you are not meant to get the item using the input command, but from a parameter in the function. That will likely make more sense after rewatching the video I link to above.

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Jun Kheng Ong

Jun Kheng Ong

Able to print results but not return, due to syntax error: 'return' outside function.

1 Answer

andren

andren

Jun Kheng Ong

Jun Kheng Ong

andren

andren