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Python Python Basics (2015) Letter Game App Random Item

Gary Burner
Gary Burner
10,167 Points
Posted by Gary Burner
Gary Burner
10,167 Points

Not sure what Im doing wrong. Getting an error that the function is not defined.

Can't think of anything else I could change to avoid that error - any help would be appreciated.

item.py 
import random

def random_item(word):
    random = random.randint(0, len(word)) - 1
    return word[random]


# EXAMPLE
# random_item("Treehouse")
# The randomly selected number is 4.
# The return value would be "h"

1 Answer

Ryan S
Ryan S
27,276 Points
Ryan S
Ryan S
27,276 Points

Hi Gary,

You have to be careful with variable names. You've imported the random module but then used a variable with the same name and are attempting to access random.randint() in its definition. So you are effectively overwriting the random module.

It is important to choose variable names that are not module names, keywords, or other reserved Python words. Other than that your logic looks good and should pass if you change the variable name.

Hope this helps.