help with explaining how to split a list of tuples into parts

[peter at ifoley.id.au]

On Saturday, 13 July 2013 18:11:18 UTC+10, Steven D'Aprano  wrote:
> On Fri, 12 Jul 2013 23:43:55 -0700, peter wrote:
> > 
> > I am new to Python and wondering if there is a better python way to do
> 
> A Python bash script? What does that mean? Python and bash are two 
> different languages.

Sorry I was trying to give some context, my mistake I am glad it did not confuse the intent of my question and you were able to provide some really helpful suggestions below.

> 
> > My attempt is located here - https://gist.github.com/pjfoley/5989653
> 
> A word of advice: don't assume that just because people are reading your 
> 
> posts, that they necessarily will follow links to view your code. There 
> 
> could be all sorts of reasons why they might not:
> 
> * SNIP Justification *

> 
> Or some other reason. For best results, you should try to simplify the 
> 
> problem as much as possible, bringing it down to the most trivial, easy 
> 
> example you can, small enough to include directly in the body of your 
> 
> email. That might be one line, or twenty lines.
> 

In my defence I was trying to give some context for my problem domain.  The bottom of the original post (which you provided some suggestions on) had the simplified question.  I find that people are more likely to help if they don't think its just a *homework question* and that someone is genuinely trying to learn.

As I mentioned in the very first line of my email I am just starting to learn Python and was not even sure what I was supposed to be looking for.  Obviously I found the hammer straight away *BINGO*!  However in my defence when I was searching I did not have the necessary knowledge to even start looking in the right place.  For reference I started searching for slice's, splitting and separating.

I will look into the techniques and keywords you suggested and try your various suggestions.

Thanks for your pointers.

Peter