[Tutor] Python Beginners

[Steven D'Aprano]

Vincent Balmori wrote:
> Hello. Right now I am learning the python language through Python Programming 
> for the Absolute Beginner 3rd Edition. I am having trouble with one question in 
> Ch. 4 #3, which says "Improve 'WordJumble so that each word is paired with a 
> hint. The player should be able to see the hint if he or she is stuck. Add a 
> scoring system that rewards players who solve a jumble without asking for the 
> hint'". 
> 
> Right now I am having trouble with giving the 'hint' variable a value despite 
> the conditions. Everything else is working fine.

Try adding an "else" clause to your "if word == ... hint = ..." block.

else:
     print "word = '%s'" % word

I think you might be surprised by the value of word.


A bit more advice for you:

> # create a jumbled version of the word
> jumble =""
> while word:
>     position = random.randrange(len(word))
>     jumble += word[position]
>     word = word[:position] + word[(position + 1):]

That's a rather complicated way to shuffle word. Here's a better way:


 >>> import random
 >>> word = 'python'
 >>> jumble = list(word)
 >>> random.shuffle(jumble)
 >>> jumble = ''.join(jumble)
 >>> jumble
'ytohpn'



-- 
Steven