Issue with Python Code Challenge: a variable is not being recognized by the interpreter (getting a NameError.)

Question

Hi everyone! I'm on the Technical Interview Prep section in the Python Techdegree.

Here's the challenge:

"Take a look at the example data structure below. Create a function called breeds. It will receive 1 parameter, a data structure like the one below. Return a list of all the pet breeds a person has. For example, using the data structure below, the function should return ['American Shorthair', 'Pitbull']."

In the interpreter, this is what you see:

# {
#     'name': 'Javier Hernandez',
#     'pets': [
#         {
#             'name': 'Kitty',
#             'breed': 'American Shorthair'
#         },
#         {
#             'name': 'Buzz',
#             'breed': 'Pitbull'
#         }
#     ],
#     'classes': ('Math', 'Science', 'Art')
# }
# enter your code below

Since this dictionary is commented out and not assigned to a variable, I was puzzled by how to access it with a function.

I decided to remove the pound symbols and assign it a name, the_dict.

Here's my code:

# {
#     'name': 'Javier Hernandez',
#     'pets': [
#         {
#             'name': 'Kitty',
#             'breed': 'American Shorthair'
#         },
#         {
#             'name': 'Buzz',
#             'breed': 'Pitbull'
#         }
#     ],
#     'classes': ('Math', 'Science', 'Art')
# }
# enter your code below
the_dict = {
    'name': 'Javier Hernandez',
    'pets': [
        {
            'name': 'Kitty',
            'breed': 'American Shorthair'
        },
        {
            'name': 'Buzz',
            'breed': 'Pitbull'
        }
    ],
    'classes': ('Math', 'Science', 'Art')
}


def breeds(data_structure):
    pet_breeds = []
    for entry in the_dict["pets"]:
        pet_breeds.append(entry["breed"])
    return pet_breeds

breeds(the_dict)

When I run this code in Visual Studio Code, it works. The function returns ['American Shorthair', 'Pitbull']

But when I click "Check Work" on the Code Challenge, I get this:

Traceback (most recent call last): File "", line 55, in test_results File "/workdir/utils/challenge.py", line 24, in execute_source exec(src) File "", line 38, in File "", line 34, in breeds NameError: name 'the_dict' is not defined

I'm confused as to why the interpreter thinks the_dict is not defined. Am I answering this question in a way that is confusing the code challenge's automated grader/checker?

Any insights would be appreciated. Thank you all for your time!

Answer 1 · 2022-06-28T16:42:34Z

June 28, 2022 4:42pm

TLDR; Solution is

def breeds(data_structure):
    pet_breeds = []
    for entry in data_structure["pets"]:
        pet_breeds.append(entry["breed"])
    return pet_breeds

Read further to understand why

So the real reason you are running into this issue is due to how you aren't using your arguments. The reason the code works for you is because you have a dictionary defined in the outer scope called the_dict. However, the point of the challenge is to write a function that can handle that sort of input, not that you have to create the input itself, if you understand what I mean.

Basically the function is supposed to stand on it's own like so:

def breeds(data_structure):
    pet_breeds = []
    for entry in the_dict["pets"]:
        pet_breeds.append(entry["breed"])
    return pet_breeds

With that in mind the reason your challenge is failing is because you are relying on a variable defined outside of the function scope. Which wouldn't be used in testing the function because they'll be supplying their own data to it, not using your specific dictionary.

To fix this you just need to use arguments to be a placeholder for that data. You already did this with the data_structure argument, but didn't actually use it, instead electing to use the dictionary you created outside of it.

To fix this, just use the argument.

def breeds(data_structure):
    pet_breeds = []
    for entry in data_structure["pets"]:
        pet_breeds.append(entry["breed"])
    return pet_breeds

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Asher Orr

Asher Orr

Issue with Python Code Challenge: a variable is not being recognized by the interpreter (getting a NameError.)

1 Answer

Dane Parchment

Dane Parchment

Asher Orr

Asher Orr