[Tutor] python problem

[Carroll, Barry]

> -----Original Message-----
> Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2007 10:54:36 -0500
> From: Kent Johnson <kent37 at tds.net>
> Subject: Re: [Tutor] python problem
> To: "Purcell,  Brittany Nicole" <bnpurcel at indiana.edu>,
> 	<tutor at python.org>
> Message-ID:
> 	<20070301155436.JZFD14201.outaamta02.mail.tds.net at smtp.tds.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> >
> > From: "Purcell,  Brittany Nicole" <bnpurcel at indiana.edu>
> > Date: 2007/03/01 Thu AM 01:40:45 EST
> > To: tutor at python.org
> > Subject: [Tutor] python problem
> >
> > I have no idea how to even begin to program something like this and
> > what I need to do is:
> > To complete the skeleton by replacing ellipsis (in this case
vertical)
> > with a  solution. The number of dot indicates the number of lines of
> > the solution, and fill in the following dots:
> 
> This looks like homework to me. We won't do your homework for you. We
will
> answer questions and help you when you have trouble but you have to
try.
> 
> What have you learned so far in class? How might you apply that to
these
> exercises?
> 
> Kent
> >
<<snip>>
> >
Hello, Brittany.

I agree with Kent, et al: I'm not doing to do the work for you.  That
doesn't do you any good and besides, we all have our own work to do.
But, just saying, "go do it yourself" isn't very good tutoring, IMHO.
So, here are a couple of hints, and a method (algorithm for you
theoretical CS types) that will help you get better results from the
folks on this mailing list.

	1. Consider the following (here come the hints):
		* All of these exercises deal with string manipulation.
		* In Python, a string is a type of sequence.
		* Pieces of a Python sequence can be accessed using
indices 
		  (singular: index) and slices.
	2. Read what your text (and class notes, if you have them) has
to 
	   say on these topics.  
	3. Fire up your Python interpreter and try out some of the
examples
	   you found in 2.  
	4. Make up some examples of your own and try them out.
	5. Try solving one or more of your exercises using what you've
learned
	   from 1. - 4.  
	6. If your solution doesn't work, send another e-mail here,
including 
	   your code and any output and error messages you get, asking
for 
	   suggestions, explanations, etc.  

This really is a great place to get help, once you've made an honest
effort to help yourself.  

Good luck.

Barry
barry.carroll at psc.com
541-302-1107
________________________
We who cut mere stones must always be envisioning cathedrals.

-Quarry worker's creed