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Python Python Basics (2015) Letter Game App Random Item

Didier Borel
Didier Borel
2,837 Points
Posted by Didier Borel
Didier Borel
2,837 Points

return an iterable

I don't understand why I am getting an error here

item.py 
# EXAMPLE
# random_item("Treehouse")
# The randomly selected number is 4.
# The return value would be "h"
import random
define random_item ("iterable"):
    random_number=random.randint (len("iterable")-1)
    return "iterable"(random_number)

1 Answer

andren
andren
28,558 Points
andren
andren
28,558 Points

There are quite a few issues in your code:

  1. Functions in Python are defined using the def keyword, not define.
  2. Parameters (the thing that goes within parenthesis of function declarations) cannot be literal values like strings or a number. Parameters are essentially variables that are passed a value when the method is called. So the parameter has to be a name that you will use to reference that value inside of your code.
  3. The randint method takes two arguments, the lowest possible number to generate, and the highest. You have only provided it with the highest number to generate.
  4. When pulling out an index from an iterable source you have to use square brackets [] not parenthesis ().

If you fix all of those issues like this:

import random
def random_item(itr): # Parameter is named itr and def is used instead of define
    random_number = random.randint(0, len(itr)-1) # Provide minimum number to generate
    return itr[random_number] # Use square brackets when pulling index out of parameter

Then your code will pass.

Didier Borel
Didier Borel
2,837 Points
Didier Borel
Didier Borel
2,837 Points

great answer Andren. it was very complete- thank you very much for your time