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Python Python Basics (2015) Shopping List App Refactor

Albert Reel
Albert Reel
5,555 Points
Posted by Albert Reel
Albert Reel
5,555 Points

Python refactoring cant catch 'HELP' str.

My work starts @#22

I can't find where the break is to all the 'HELP' string to be received. How do I run a test to see where the failure is?

shopping_list.py 
def show_help():
    # print out instructions on how to use the app
    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.
""")

def show_list(shopping_list):
    # print out the list
    print("Here's your list:")

    for item in shopping_list:
        print(item)

def add_to_list(shopping_list, new_item):
    # add new items to our list
    shopping_list.append(new_item)
    print("Added {}. List now has {} items.".format(new_item, len(shopping_list)))
    return shopping_list

def main():
    # make a list to hold onto our items
    shopping_list = []
    while True:
        new_item = input("> ")
        if new_item == 'DONE':
            show_list(shopping_list)
            break
        elif new_item == 'HELP':
            show_help()
            continue
        elif new_item == 'SHOW':
            show_list(shopping_list)
            continue
        add_to_list(shopping_list, new_item)
Albert Reel
Albert Reel
5,555 Points
Albert Reel
Albert Reel
5,555 Points

I found A testing solution:

def main():
    # make a list to hold onto our items
    shopping_list = []
    while True:
        new_item = input("> ")
        if new_item == 'DONE':
            show_list(shopping_list)
            break
        elif new_item == 'HELP':
            show_help()
            continue
        elif new_item == 'SHOW':
            show_list(shopping_list)
            continue
        add_to_list(shopping_list, new_item)

if __name__ == "__main__":
        main()

Added to the bottom of the code allows main() to be called. This allows you to debug the code once it has been refactored into a function.

2 Answers

Albert Reel
Albert Reel
5,555 Points
Albert Reel
Albert Reel
5,555 Points

The function failed the test because an initial call to the function show_help() inserted as seen below. This brings up the instructions when the function is called but before input is taken.

def main():
    show_help() #This line is the solution
    shopping_list = []
    while True:
        new_item = input("> ")
Albert Reel
Albert Reel
5,555 Points
Albert Reel
Albert Reel
5,555 Points

Cannot find anything wrong with the program. It functions as intended and should be working but is not.