python generating random lists of defined length

Question

I'm trying to write a program that generates a list of ten random integers from 1-5 inclusive, then prints the number each time each integer repeats. Then prints a second list with the duplicates removed. Right now I'm having an issue even getting the first list to generate at all. I keep getting TypeError: 'int' object is not iterable

This is what I have so far:

def randomTen():
    """return list of ten integers and the number of times each one
    appears"""
    firstList= []
    for num in range(1,11):
        x= int(random.randint(1,6))
        list1= firstList.append(x)
    print(list1)

Yes, this is how append() works. It changes the source list ("firstList") and doesn't return anything. — georg
– georg, Commented Mar 11, 2013 at 15:29
Additionally, your function will continue to return None until you return something with the return keyword. — Wilduck
– Wilduck, Commented Mar 11, 2013 at 15:30
That said, a list comprehension like firstList = [random.randint(1,6) for num in range(10)] is a more "pythonic" way to do the same. — georg
– georg, Commented Mar 11, 2013 at 15:31

David Robinson · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-11 15:30:15Z

4

First note that this could be done more easily with a list comprehension:

firstList = [random.randint(1,6) for num in range(1, 11)]

As for your function, you needed to do:

firstList= []
for num in range(1,11):
    x= int(random.randint(1,6))
    firstList.append(x)
print(firstList)

append doesn't return anything, it changes the list in place.

answered Mar 11, 2013 at 15:30

David Robinson

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2 Comments

Robᵩ Over a year ago

Shouldn't randint(1,6) be randint(1,5)? From the OP: "a list of ten random integers from 1-5 inclusive"

David Robinson Over a year ago

@Robᵩ: I was following the OP's lead, but you are certainly correct!

octref · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-11 15:30:43Z

1

def randomTen():
    """return list of ten integers and the number of times each one
    appears"""
    firstList= []
    for num in range(1,11):
        x= int(random.randint(1,6))
        firstList.append(x)
    return firstList

You create an empty list firstList, append elements to it, and then return it.

answered Mar 11, 2013 at 15:30

octref

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Comments

rparent · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-11 15:31:03Z

0

1) x is an integer, not a list. So just use

list1 = firstList.append(x)

2) If you want to remove replicates, you may just want to convert the list to a set :

print(set(list1))

answered Mar 11, 2013 at 15:31

rparent

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