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

Posted by Maiia Spivak
Maiia Spivak
3,038 Points

Something's not clicking, please help!

I need to create a function to return first four values of the given iterable. Where's a mistake?

slices.py 
def first_4(my_word):
    x = list(my_word)
    first_four = x[:4]

3 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,269 Points

:point_right: It looks like you forgot the return statement.

Your value should be good, but you need to return it to the caller.

Also, you can optionally save a step by applying your slice directly to the iterable argument (you don't need to convert it to a list first).

Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points
Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points

Edged out again! ?Thanks for all your community support!!!

Maiia Spivak
Maiia Spivak
3,038 Points

Thank you! I usually get stuck because of simple things :)

Emil Rais
Emil Rais
26,873 Points
Emil Rais
Emil Rais
26,873 Points

You're converting the string to a list. You do not need to do that. The string itself is an iterable. You end up returning the first 4 characters of the word as a list of characters rather than as a string.

Chris Freeman
MOD
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points
Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,441 Points

You have it correct so far. The return statement is missing. It's needed to return the value first_four.

Post back if you need a bigger hint.

Maiia Spivak
Maiia Spivak
3,038 Points

I got it, thanks!