Learning Python via a little word frequency program

[Andrew Savige]

Fredrik Lundh wrote:

>    # sort items on descending count
>    deco = sorted(freq.items(), key=lambda x: -x[1])

Neat. Is there any way to use sorted() with multiple sort keys? ...
Given that the spec calls for sorting by _two_ keys: first by
frequency (descending), then by name (ascending). To clarify:

kevin     : 3
jock      : 2
andrew    : 1
bill      : 1
fred      : 1
freddy    : 1

is correct, while:

kevin     : 3
jock      : 2
bill      : 1
andrew    : 1
fred      : 1
freddy    : 1

is incorrect because "andrew 1" must appear before "bill 1".

>> Finally, I might replace:
>> 
>> for v, k in deco:
>>    print "%-10s: %d" % (k, -v)
>> 
>> with:
>> 
>> print "\n".join("%-10s: %d" % (k, -v) for v, k in deco)
>
> why?

No good reason, unless performance is significantly different.
The first seems clearer to me. Just wondering what other folks think.

Thanks,
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