Which is the best way...

[Jeff Shannon]

"Matthew D. Wood" wrote:

> I have an interesting code-correctness question.  I firmly believe in
> doing things 'The Right Way' and I'm not sure which of these 3 blocks is
> better.  So, if you code-guru's could help me out I would definitely
> appreciate it.
>

[trimming code]

>
> def first_non_ordered_2 (my_list) :
>        for index in range(len(my_list))[:-1] :
>                if my_list[index] > my_list[index + 1] :
>                        return index + 1
>        else :
>                return None
>
> def first_non_ordered_3 (my_list) :
>        try :
>                for index in range(len(my_list)) :
>                       if my_list[index] > my_list[index + 1] :
>                                return index + 1
>
>        except IndexError :
>                return None

These two are, IMHO, the best options, though I'd probably do this--

def first_non_ordered_2(my_list):
    for index in range( len(my_list) - 1):
        if my_list[index] > my_list[index + 1]:
            return index + 1
    # note that, by dropping off the for-loop, and off the function, we
implicitly return None
    # so the following line is optional
    return None

Not that I'm in any danger of being called a code-guru any time soon.  ;)

Jeff Shannon
Technician/Programmer
Credit International