[Tutor] Trying to access a random value in a list

[Dave Angel]

On 01/12/2012 06:56 PM, Nick W wrote:
> first problem: easy fix just remember that len() returns the actual
> number of items in the list but that list is indexed starting at 0 so
> just replace your line of
>          pick = len(names)
> with:
>         pick = len(names) - 1
> and for problem #2:
> just use string formating... like for example instead of:
>          print (names[win_number], " is the winner!")
> try something along the lines of:
>         print("{} is a winner".format(names[win_number]))
> HTH
> Pacific Morrowind
>
You top-posted.  On lists like this one, it's proper to add your new 
message after the piece you're quoting.

> On 1/12/12, Claude Matherne<cmathe7 at gmail.com>  wrote:
>> Hello all,
>> I am a beginner to python and I am trying to make a simple program that
>> takes in some names as input into a list and then randomly picks a vaule
>> from that list as a winner.
>>
>> Here is the code:
>>
>> import random
>>
>> choice = None
>>
>> names = [ ]
>>
>> while choice != "0":
>>      print(
>>          """
>>          0 - Exit
>>          1 - Enter a name
>>          2 - Pick a winner
>>          """)
>>      choice = input("Choice: ")
>>      print()
>>
>>      if choice == "0":
>>          print ("Goodbye.")
>>
>>      elif choice == "1":
>>          name = input("Please enter a name: ")
>>          names.append(name)
>>          print (names, "have been entered.")
>>
>>      elif choice == "2":
>>          pick = len(names)
>>          win_number =random.randint(0,pick)
>>          print (names[win_number], " is the winner!")
>>
>> input("/n/nPress enter to exit.")
>>
>>
>> First problem, sometimes I get a error where the value is out of range.
>> Problem becuase of the way I set up the random value.
>> Second problem, but not a big one, is when I print the lists of names as
>> they are entered, I get quotations around the name.
>>
>> I'm sur I am over thinking this, but any help would be great.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
The problem with the quotes is just the way that Python works.
            print (names, "have been entered.")

You're printing a list as a whole, and when it does that, individual 
items are displayed using repr(), rather than str().  If you don't like 
that, write a loop, with a print statement per item, and format it any 
way you like.

           for name in names:
                   print(name, "+whatever")

-- 

DaveA