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Python Python Testing First Steps With Testing Create a Doctest

Doctest code works in python but not on the test.

when I go into python on a separate window and run the test code it works and returns 1.5 like it should. Why am I not getting it right on the test?

average.py
def average(num_list):
    """Return the average for a list of numbers

    >>>list = [1, 2]
    >>>average(list)
    1.5

    """
    return sum(num_list) / len(num_list)

3 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,644 Points

I guess the challenge is pickier than the Python itself.

The challenge wants your test to call the function by passing the test list as a literal and not use an intermediate variable.

The challenge also wants to see a space between the chevrons (>>>) and the function call.


:warning: SPOILER ALERT


def average(num_list):
    """Return the average for a list of numbers

    >>> average([1, 2])
    1.5

    """
    return sum(num_list) / len(num_list)

</div>

Thomas Helms
Thomas Helms
16,816 Points

Yep, I had

>>>average([1, 2])
1.5

and it was giving me fits. I knew I wasn't that far off. Thanks Steven.

Slightly annoying, but thank you.

Steven, thanks for the answer. I had this:

def average(num_list):
    """Return the average for a list of numbers

    >>> av = average([1, 2])
    >>> av == 1.5
    True

    """

    return sum(num_list) / len(num_list)

which also didn't work - grad my answer wasn't too off