Welcome to the Treehouse Community
Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.
Looking to learn something new?
Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.
Start your free trialDidier Borel
2,837 Pointsreturn an iterable
I don't understand why I am getting an error here
# EXAMPLE
# random_item("Treehouse")
# The randomly selected number is 4.
# The return value would be "h"
import random
define random_item ("iterable"):
random_number=random.randint (len("iterable")-1)
return "iterable"(random_number)
1 Answer
andren
28,558 PointsThere are quite a few issues in your code:
- Functions in Python are defined using the
def
keyword, notdefine
. - Parameters (the thing that goes within parenthesis of function declarations) cannot be literal values like strings or a number. Parameters are essentially variables that are passed a value when the method is called. So the parameter has to be a name that you will use to reference that value inside of your code.
- The
randint
method takes two arguments, the lowest possible number to generate, and the highest. You have only provided it with the highest number to generate. - When pulling out an index from an iterable source you have to use square brackets [] not parenthesis ().
If you fix all of those issues like this:
import random
def random_item(itr): # Parameter is named itr and def is used instead of define
random_number = random.randint(0, len(itr)-1) # Provide minimum number to generate
return itr[random_number] # Use square brackets when pulling index out of parameter
Then your code will pass.
Didier Borel
2,837 PointsDidier Borel
2,837 Pointsgreat answer Andren. it was very complete- thank you very much for your time