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[Abdullahi Salihu Abubakar]

Hello!


Hope you guys are fine.  I am a newbie in programming, though I have been
experimenting with Python for close to 3 years, but have never attempt
writing any real-life program.  However, recently I decided to embark on a
personal project to develop a Python App which I want to dedicate to my
community to solve a particular calculation challenge relating to financial
benefits involving a combination of beneficiaries with different level of
benefits.  My intention is to use Python 3.4 or 2.7, with Tkinter and
Python Megawidgets (Pmw) for the GUI.  The following is a short description
of the workings of the proposed app:


1.   The user inputs the amount to be distributed to the beneficiaries into
a text entry box;

2.   He clicks add button, to add the value;

3.   He selects the beneficiaries from a dropdown list, one at a time;

4.   He clicks an “add beneficiary” button to add to the list;

5.   He then clicks a button to calculate the amount entitled by each
beneficiary;

6.   The application then calculates and displays the result in the
following format:

a.   Name: Identity of the beneficiary;

b.   Percentage: the percentage he is entitled from the amount entered (eg.
4/24, 3/12 etc);

c.   Value: the monetary value he is entitled (eg $50 for instance)

7.   The user then clicks a close button to exit the result window.



I don’t have much challenge setting the GUI using Tkinter and Pmw.  But my
challenge is how to handle the data to be entered, calculate the value
based on the percentage each beneficiary is entitled, and allocates same to
him/her.  This is because:

1.   The user can select 3 or 4 beneficiaries with different percentages;

2.   Some beneficiaries don’t have a specific percentage, but only got
their benefits from a reminder value;

3.   Some beneficiaries can have a specific percentage and equally be
entitled to a section of the reminder.

4.   There may be many scenarios (can extend to 1500, but I want to start
experimenting with just 20 instances);

I am not too depth in Python but it is the language of my choice since
2010. I don’t know the complex methods which Python provides in order to
solve this intricate problem for me.  I attempted using the following
python codes:


<code>


# I create different categories of beneficiaries first, using a list.


cat1 = [element1, element2, element3, element4]



# Capture the values from the user


amount = input(“Enter Value: “)


choice = input(“Enter Beneficiary:  “)



# I define a defaultdict object in order to set the values for each
beneficiary, as it allows for one-to-many relationship.


Result = defaultdict(list)


# I now use control flow statements to compare values and distribute.


if choice == cat1:

        result[cat1[0]].append((amount/6) * 1)

        result[cat1[1]].append((amount/6) * 1)

        result[cat1[2]].append((amount/6) * 2)

        result[cat1[3]].append((amount/3) * 2)

elif choice == cat2:

        …continue same approach as above.



</code>


My Dilemma


My challenge here is; the above approach does not provide me the necessary
solution. Because:

1.   Let’s assume the first part of the if statement gave me the necessary
values for the beneficiaries, but running it does not produce anything. It
only outputs the storage location of the “result” defaultdict object.  What
is the best approach, please?

2.   I got stocked because I can’t continue using the “if statement” for
each and every category of beneficiaries in order to check the user input,
since I have to create as many instance as possible;

3.   I can’t figure out how to handle the result.  Which method can I use
to display the result based on the format given above?

4.   I presently use list to hold the list of beneficiaries. Based on the
short description of the proposed app above, which other container is it
suitable for holding the categories of the beneficiaries?

I am sorry if I omit any necessary information. This is how far I have
gone. I am always ready to provide any necessary details please. Am a
newbie, but always ready to learn, no matter what.


Thanks in anticipation of your magnanimity.



-- 
Abdallah Salihu Abubakar (Abu Siddeeq)
Off Lagos crescent,
Unguwar Hausawa,
Garki Village,
P. O. Box 11617,
Garki 900001,
Abuja - Nigeria
08034592444
salihuabdu at gmail.com, http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/nurul-islam