interactive programming

[Adam DePrince]

Chris Richard Adams wrote:
> 
> How can I create a loop - interactively.  I'm just trying to learn
> syntax for example, so Id like to create conditional if statements like
> a = 'feb'
> 
> if a == 'jan':
>         mo = 1
> elif a == 'feb':
>         mo = 2
> elif a == 'mar':
>         mo = 3
> ...
> 
> I tried to type this interactively, but I get a mess of error about
> syntax or mis placed whitespace...
> 
> 1.) After the return after mo = 1 - how do I make sure theelif is
> aligned with if?
> 
> 2.) Is there any refernces for interactive programming - the tutorial is
> too short?
> 
> Thanks,Chris

Ah.  To end a block interactively you must hit enter twice.

$ python
Python 2.0 (#1, Dec 18 2000, 00:59:58) 
[GCC egcs-2.91.66 19990314/Linux (egcs-1.1.2 release)] on linux2
Type "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> for x in range(10):
...     print x <- Enter
...             <- Enter
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
>>> 


Your code:

> if a == 'jan':
>         mo = 1
> elif a == 'feb':
>         mo = 2
> elif a == 'mar':
>         mo = 3
> ...
> 

would require an extra enter after mo=12.

Instead of using nested ifs, I would do this:

months = {"jan":1,"feb":2,"mar":3 ... :12}


b = months[a]

Of course, you don't want to create months each and every time you do
the lookup, otherwise you havn't really gained anything.

Adam DePrince
Starmedia Network, Inc.
Email:
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