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 trial

Python Python Basics (2015) Number Game App Squared

willyraider
willyraider
6,550 Points
Posted by willyraider
willyraider
6,550 Points

Write a function named squared that takes a single argument (Python Basics Track)

I don't know what's wrong with this code but I'm getting always a bummer! Although the output is the same as requested. Could someone please review this?

# EXAMPLES
# squared(5) would return 25
# squared("2") would return 4
# squared("tim") would return "timtimtim"

def squared(value):
  try:
    return print(int(value) ** 2)
  except TypeError:
    return print(value*3)
  except ValueError:
    return print('"'+value*3+'"')

squared(5)
squared("2")
squared("tim")

I've also tried for the ValueError part

return print(value*3)

but doesn't work as well.

Really frustrating :-(

1 Answer

Josh Keenan
Josh Keenan
20,315 Points
Josh Keenan
Josh Keenan
20,315 Points

Here's my solution

def squared(num):
  try:
    return (int(num) ** 2)
  except ValueError:
    return (str(num) * len(num))

You don't want it to print so that isn't needed.

You want to catch a ValueError

You need an else to return the other alternative if conversion fails

willyraider
willyraider
6,550 Points
willyraider
willyraider
6,550 Points

It worked out! Thank you Josh Keenan!

John Mills
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
John Mills
Python Web Development Techdegree Student 565 Points

Great work Josh, but remember you don't have to use parenthesis around your return values, the entire line gets returned automatically. Also, I recommend you use 4 spaces, rather than 2. 4 spaces reads better and is a Python standard. Happy coding!

def squared(argument):
    try:
        return int(argument) ** 2
    except ValueError:
        return str(argument) * len(argument)
Josh Keenan
Josh Keenan
20,315 Points
Josh Keenan
Josh Keenan
20,315 Points

I prefer it for readability as do my lecturers, the grades come first xD

edit: I do use 4 but when I copy in it never works and loses all indentation and typing 2 spaces is easier than 4