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Python Python Collections (2016, retired 2019) Slices Slice Functions

Harper Frankstone
Harper Frankstone
5,156 Points

Getting the last 4 items in a slice

I need to get the first 4 items, and the last 4 items in an iterable, by slicing. The function needs to return the first and last 4 items in a single variable. I think I am close but I'm not sure why it isn't working. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

slices.py
def first_4(obj):
    items = obj[0:4]
    return items

def first_and_last_4(obj):
    first = obj[0:4]
    last = obj[-4::-1]

    first_last = first.extend(last)
    return first_last
Van Sanders
Van Sanders
16,087 Points

Keep in mind that the brackets separate the 'start', 'stop', and 'step' like so: [start:stop;step]

So, in your last slice, you should try just defining the start so that it is 4 items from the end of the list.

Then, don't worry about the -1 step. That will make the returned value be reversed, since it will be counting from the back of the list! Just make sure your start point is -4.

Also, no need to use the extend notation. You can just return first + last.

I hope that helps!

Harper Frankstone
Harper Frankstone
5,156 Points

Hey Van, so I took the step out of that last slice, but my code is still being rejected. Starting the slice at -4 should return the last four items, correct?

1 Answer

Hi there,

I used obj[:4] for the first four and the simply added with + the last four like obj[-4:]

That looked like:

def first_and_last_4(obj):
    return obj[:4] + obj[-4:]

I hope that helps,

Steve.