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Python Python Collections (2016, retired 2019) Slices Slice Functions

Posted by Tiago Ramos
Tiago Ramos
2,380 Points

I can't do 2 slices in a single line

Hey guys, in the first_and_last_4, how can I slice the first 4 and the last 4 items at the same time? I did it in 2 steps why doesn't it work?

Thank you :)

slices.py 
def first_4(iterable):
    return iterable[:4]

def first_and_last_4(iterable):
    return iterable[:4]
    return iterable[-4:]

1 Answer

Jon Mirow
Jon Mirow
9,864 Points
Jon Mirow
Jon Mirow
9,864 Points

Hi there!

You're slicing is spot on, but you have two return statements. Don't forget that a return statement exists your function, so the second return line is never executed.

As for slicing the first four and last 4 at a time, sadly you can't - slice only returns one list covering the pattern it was given but you could use multiple calls in one line:

head,tail = iterable[:4],iterable[-4:]
return #???

Do you know a way to concat head and tail? hint: they could both be strings... anyway, that's what you'd put in the return line...

Tiago Ramos
Tiago Ramos
2,380 Points

Hi Jon thanks for your precious help!

I concatenate it like this :

def first_and_last_4(ite):

head = ite[:4]
tail = ite[-4:]

concat = head + tail
return concat

;) a big hug!