[Tutor] Stephen Mik-Novice Python Programmer(Version 3.4.0)Can't get help using Dictionaries, Lists to 'Hangman Game Problem"

[C Smith]

Stephen, respond to the list so someone with more experience can help
you. I am still learning a lot about Python, but when over-generalized
questions are asked, I can tell that more experienced tutor-members
will not be able to help you much unless you can learn to frame the
questions correctly. You will notice this trend on many forums or
mailing lists not even related to Python. Sites like stackoverflow.com
(another great resource) will follow similar trends.

One thing you could do is post the code from hangman.py. Some people
will be averse to downloading even a .py file for various reasons, so
you are more likely to get a response by posting the entire code in
PLAIN TEXT. Right now your text is not plain text and will make it
hard to copy/paste or indent code properly.

If the instructor said you can use the code, use it. Changing variable
names should take about 5 seconds, as long as you have at least
feigned interest in the class. If changing variable names sounds
daunting, don't feel hopeless, you have just not been exposed to it
before. Adding a dictionary does not have to change the program
dramatically. You could even just add a minor functionality like
keeping track of score for players and not change the major parts of
the program.

Earlier you said: 'embedded while lists'.
Did you mean 'embedded while loop'?
If you can have a flash drive for the final, could you load it up with
Python reference material? If you can, make sure it is in a format
that you are comfortable searching and understanding. If you try to
cheat in programming, it will be easy to tell if the instructor
decides to ask you about your code.

On Mon, May 5, 2014 at 12:19 PM, Stephen Mik <mik.stephen at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Stephen Mik-"hung-up" on Hangman Python code, pseudo code,worries about
> using Dictionaries,Lists.embedded while lists,for loops:
> Thank you,. C. Smith for responding to my help plea on Python-Tutor.org. One
> version of the "Hang Man" problem is listed in the textbook,but it doesn't
> use Dictionaries,Lists,embedded while lists;so I am fairly flummoxed as to
> what is needed in the pseudo code,or Python code. If I just copy the code
> from the Textbook,I am afraid that I will not learn very much about the
> Algorithm used to guess the scrambled word in Hang Man.The program
> assignment does not require a GUI to the screen,just printing words and some
> primitive ASCII Graphics of a man being hung if the word is not guessed in
> time. The instructor says we can use the code for the Hangman.py at the back
> of the chapter,but must of course change the variable names and add
> Dictionaries,Lists,etc. Another program is due by May 13,2014(A Tic-Tac-Toe
> program,which has MANY functions. And to top it off,the Final Exam is
> scheduled for Thursday,May 15,2014. In the Final we are NOT allowed textbook
> or class notes,just a Flash Drive and a Python interpreter. Anything else
> ,including looking up help on the Internet,is strictly forbidden.You talk
> about pressure,I sure feel it now! SWM
> On Sunday, May 4, 2014 4:45 PM, C Smith <illusiontechniques at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> Hey, you will want to include some code to show your progress so far.
> Can you write a basic program and then work the requirements into it?
> Do you have some idea of where to start? Are you supposed to modify a
> completed version of "hangman" that is in your text, or come up with
> an original 'hangman' program? Does the hangman game need a graphical
> interface, or is just printing words to the screen fine?
>
> On Sun, May 4, 2014 at 7:17 PM, Stephen Mik
> <mik.stephen at yahoo.com.dmarc.invalid> wrote:
>> Dear Python World:
>>    I am almost brand new to Python 3.4.0 and am taking a beginning Python
>> Programming class at the nearby Community College. One major problem I
>> have
>> is time management with beginning pseudo code and coding for my Class
>> Assignments. The instructor prefers Office Hour help,and does not respond
>> to
>> email.
>>    One of my Class Assignments due on May 9,2014 deals with making a
>> version of the "Hangman Game" which I'm sure somebody out there is
>> familiar
>> with. The program problem says to use 1.Dictionaries 2. Lists 3.Embedded
>> While lists 4.for loops and more. I can refer to the Textbook for the
>> class
>> to get a basic idea of what some of the code will look like,but I cannot
>> fathom how to use a Dictionary or List  in order to enhance the Basic
>> Hangman Game Problem in the text  (written by Michael Dawson). The Text
>> does
>> cover "Dictionaries","Lists","While Loops","For Loops" but doesn't
>> "amplify"
>> and show with examples how some of these Data Structures can be used. And
>> my
>> instructor's Assignment directions are very terse and "you do it by
>> yourself".
>>    If I can't get some ideas and hints from the Python Community by
>> Monday,May 5,2014, I will have to hold off this difficult  programming
>> assignment until Tuesday,May 6,2014 when the instructor will be available
>> to
>> help. That leaves me just 3 days to pseudocode,code in Python,fix syntax
>> and
>> run-time and Logical errors before I can turn it in by Friday,May 16,2014.
>> The instructor will only probably give me a suggestion and not some
>> tangible
>> ideas.Any thoughts out there about how to implement the Loops and Data
>> Structures into a "Hangman Game" programming problem?
>> SINCERELY,Stephen W. Mik
>>
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