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Python Python Collections (2016, retired 2019) Lists Removing Items From A List

removing items from a list

Going cross-eyed looking for what I've done wrong here. When I run the code I've typed as I've followed along the program simply adds 'remove' to my shopping list instead of performing the 'remove' function.

 import os

 # make a list to hold items
 shopping_list = []

 def clear_screen():
      os.system("cls" if os.name == "nt" else "clear")


 def show_help():
     clear_screen()
     print("What should we pick up at the store?")
     print("""
 Enter 'DONE' to stop adding items.
 Enter 'HELP' for this help.
 Enter 'SHOW' to see your current list.
 Enter 'REMOVE' to delete an item from your list.
 """)


 def add_to_list(item):
     show_list()
     if len(shopping_list):
         position = input("Where should I add {}?\n"
                          "Press ENTER to add to the end of the list\n"
                          "> ".format(item))
     else:
         position = 0

     try:
         position = abs(int(position))
     except ValueError:
         position = None
     if position is not None:
         shopping_list.insert(position-1, item)
     else:
         shopping_list.append(new_item)

     show_list()    


 def show_list():
     clear_screen()
     print("Here's your list: ")

     index = 1
     for item in shopping_list:
         print("{}. {}".format(index, item))
         index += 1

     print("-"*10)


 def remove_from_list():
     show_list()
     what_to_remove = input("What would you like to remove?\n> ")
     try:
         shopping_list.remove(what_to_remove)
     except ValueError:
         pass
     show_list()


 show_help()

 while True:
    new_item = input("> ")

     if new_item.upper == 'DONE' or new_item.upper() == 'QUIT':
         break
     elif new_item.upper() == 'HELP':
         show_help()
         continue
     elif new_item.upper == 'SHOW':
         show_list()
         continue
     elif new_item.upper == 'REMOVE':
         remove_from_list()
     else:
         add_to_list(new_item)    

 show_list()

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

3 Answers

Brian Boring
PLUS
Brian Boring
Courses Plus Student 3,904 Points

So close! Here is a hint; your QUIT and HELP commands work fine. Your DONE, SHOW and REMOVE commands do not work. What is different about them compared to QUIT and HELP?

Got it! Thanks for the nudge!

gabrielle moran
gabrielle moran
1,985 Points

Even with the nudge I sat here looking for about 10 minutes before I saw the errors. Debugging 101

boi
boi
14,242 Points

I loved the approach of helping by Brian, it gives you a better understanding of what went wrong. Great answer Brian