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Python Python Collections (Retired) Dictionaries String Formatting with Dictionaries

Nicholas Anstis
Nicholas Anstis
2,095 Points

Create a function named string_factory that accepts a list of dictionaries and a string. Return a new list build by usin

As the title says i have to :

Create a function named string_factory that accepts a list of dictionaries and a string. Return a new list build by using .format() on the string, filled in by each of the dictionaries in the list.

My code's down below but hm i can't figure it out :p Hope you can help me

strings.py
dicts = [
    {'name': 'Michelangelo',
     'food': 'PIZZA'},
    {'name': 'Garfield',
     'food': 'lasanga'},
    {'name': 'Walter',
     'food': 'pancakes'},
    {'name': 'Galactus',
     'food': 'worlds'}
]

string = "Hi, I'm {name} and I love to eat {food}!"

def string_factory(string, string):
  for dicts in string:
    return string.format(**dicts)

2 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,236 Points

Here's a few hints:

  • you can't use the same argument name twice in a function definition (how could you tell them apart later?)
  • you need to build a new list inside the loop (don't return)
  • when you do return after the loop, pass back the newly-created list

If you're still stuck, here's how I did it:


:warning: SPOILER ALERT


def string_factory(dicts, string):
  newlist = []
  for each in dicts:
    newlist.append(string.format(name=each['name'], food=each['food']))
  return newlist

Though I have to say, string_list.append(string.format(**dict)) is a bit more in keeping with the video lesson just prior to the challenge. :+1:

Anjali Pasupathy
Anjali Pasupathy
28,883 Points

That's a much better format for giving out help. I'll have to keep it in mind. Much less "SNAPE KILLS TRINITY WITH ROSEBUD!" than my answer was. (:

Anjali Pasupathy
Anjali Pasupathy
28,883 Points

You're getting there. You formatted the string correctly, though! You can't call both your arguments "string". Also, you're suppose to put all the formatted strings in a list, and then return that list.

def string_factory(dicts, string):
    string_list = []
    for dict in dicts:
        string_list.append(string.format(**dict))
    return string_list

I hope this helps!

Nicholas Anstis
Nicholas Anstis
2,095 Points

Thanks a lot for that fast answer. It helped me a lot.