Python passing return values to functions

Question

I'm trying to make a program that will generate a random list, length being determined by user input, that will be sorted. I'm having a problem accessing/passing my randomly generated list to other functions. For example, below, I can't print my list x. I've also tried making a function specifically for printing the list, yet that won't work either. How can I pass the list x?

unsorted_list = []
sorted_list = []

# Random list generator
def listgen(y):
    """Makes a random list"""
    import random
    x = []
    for i in range(y):
        x.append(random.randrange(100))
        i += 1
    return x

def main():
    y = int(input("How long would you like to make the list?: "))
    listgen(y)
    print(x)


main()

x is local to listgen()

broinjc
– broinjc

2014-03-20 17:42:33 +00:00
Commented Mar 20, 2014 at 17:42 — broinjc
– broinjc, Commented Mar 20, 2014 at 17:42

dm03514 · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-20 17:38:58Z

2

x = listgen(y)

def main():
    y = int(input("How long would you like to make the list?: "))
    x = listgen(y)
    print(x)

x should be assigned based on return value of your function

answered Mar 20, 2014 at 17:38

dm03514

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Comments

John Kugelman · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-20 17:38:58Z

0

l = listgen(y)
print(l)

The variable x is local to listgen(). To get the list inside of main(), assign the return value to a variable.

answered Mar 20, 2014 at 17:38

John Kugelman

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Comments

Aaron Hall · Accepted Answer · 2014-03-20 17:39:12Z

0

In your main, this:

def main():
    y = int(input("How long would you like to make the list?: "))
    listgen(y)
    print(x)

should be:

def main():
    y = int(input("How long would you like to make the list?: "))
    x = listgen(y) # Must assign the value returned to a variable to use it
    print(x)

Does that make sense?

answered Mar 20, 2014 at 17:39

Aaron Hall♦

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