Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

Python Python Basics (2015) Shopping List App Break

Posted by David Wright
David Wright
4,437 Points

'Break Objective' of Python Basics. My code results in an Error: variable 'i' referenced before assignment

def loopy(items): while True: if i == "STOP": break

for i in items: print(item)

Error: variable 'i' referenced before assignment

breaks.py 
def loopy(items):
  while True:
    if i == "STOP":
      break

  for i in items:
    print(item)

2 Answers

Chris Freeman
MOD
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,423 Points
Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,423 Points

The variable i needs to be defined before it is used in a statement. You have the right ideas, the code needs to be rearranged a bit. The while isn't necessary since the for loop will stop automatically at the end of items

def loopy(items):
  for i in items:
    if i == "STOP":
      break
    print(i)
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,732 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,732 Points

Looks like you have two loops, and in your first one you test i to see if it is "STOP", but before you have assigned anything to it.

You only need one loop for this, and the second one seems to be right for the job. Just do your test inside that loop (and remove the first one).