python not returning true

[agent-s]

I have a function, generally described as so:

def function(args):
if condition:
if condition2:
function(args+1 )
elif condition3:
print "text"
return True
else:
return False

which is used in:

if function(args):
print "ok"
so here basically "text" will print out when condition3 is true but it
will not print out "ok" when condition3 is true. When it's true it
should print out borth "text" and "ok"

[Ben Finney]

"agent-s" <sh*******@gmai l.comwrites:

I have a function, generally described as so:

def function(args):
if condition:
if condition2:
function(args+1 )
elif condition3:
print "text"
return True
else:
return False

You've simplified this, presumably to make the code more
clear. Unfortunately what remains isn't executable, so we can't see
the behaviour that confuses you.

Please write a minimal example that demonstrates the behaviour you
want explained.

--
\ "I doubt, therefore I might be." -- Anonymous |
`\ |
_o__) |
Ben Finney

[John Machin]

On Feb 14, 4:15 pm, "agent-s" <shanek...@gmai l.comwrote:

I have a function, generally described as so:

def function(args):
if condition:
if condition2:
function(args+1 )

return None

elif condition3:
print "text"
return True
else:
return False

else:
return None

There are two cases, indicated above, where you don't explicitly do a
"return", so you fall off the end of the function, and Python returns
None.

Then when the function's caller tests the returned value, None is
treated as logically false.

which is used in:

if function(args):
print "ok"

so here basically "text" will print out when condition3 is true but it
will not print out "ok" when condition3 is true. When it's true it
should print out borth "text" and "ok"

In the second last sentence, it is difficult to determine what you
think is expected behaviour and what you say is the actual behaviour.
In the last sentence, what does the first "it" refer to?

If the knowledge about returning None doesn't help you, try some
standard(??) techniques like inserting print statements or debugger
break-points.

HTH,
John

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Tue, 13 Feb 2007 21:15:19 -0800, agent-s wrote:

I have a function, generally described as so:

[snip function]

which is used in:

if function(args):
print "ok"

so here basically "text" will print out when condition3 is true but it
will not print out "ok" when condition3 is true. When it's true it
should print out borth "text" and "ok"

Thank you for sharing. Do you have an actual question?


--
Steven D'Aprano

[agent-s]

On Feb 13, 9:37 pm, "John Machin" <sjmac...@lexic on.netwrote:

On Feb 14, 4:15 pm, "agent-s" <shanek...@gmai l.comwrote:

I have a function, generally described as so:

def function(args):
if condition:
if condition2:
function(args+1 )

return None elif condition3:

print "text"
return True
else:
return False

else:
return None

There are two cases, indicated above, where you don't explicitly do a
"return", so you fall off the end of the function, and Python returns
None.

Then when the function's caller tests the returned value, None is
treated as logically false.

which is used in:

if function(args):
print "ok"

so here basically "text" will print out when condition3 is true but it
will not print out "ok" when condition3 is true. When it's true it
should print out borth "text" and "ok"

In the second last sentence, it is difficult to determine what you
think is expected behaviour and what you say is the actual behaviour.
In the last sentence, what does the first "it" refer to?

If the knowledge about returning None doesn't help you, try some
standard(??) techniques like inserting print statements or debugger
break-points.

HTH,
John

Thanks! That was exactly what it was. I solved it by using "return
function(args+1 )" instead of simply "function(args+ 1)."

btw Steven you are so witty I hope to one day pwn noobs on newsgroups
too.

[John Machin]

On Feb 14, 5:45 pm, "agent-s" <shanek...@gmai l.comwrote:

On Feb 13, 9:37 pm, "John Machin" <sjmac...@lexic on.netwrote:

On Feb 14, 4:15 pm, "agent-s" <shanek...@gmai l.comwrote:

I have a function, generally described as so:

def function(args):
if condition:
if condition2:
function(args+1 )

return None elif condition3:

print "text"
return True
else:
return False

else:
return None

There are two cases, indicated above, where you don't explicitly do a
"return", so you fall off the end of the function, and Python returns
None.

Then when the function's caller tests the returned value, None is
treated as logically false.

which is used in:

if function(args):
print "ok"

so here basically "text" will print out when condition3 is true but it
will not print out "ok" when condition3 is true. When it's true it
should print out borth "text" and "ok"

In the second last sentence, it is difficult to determine what you
think is expected behaviour and what you say is the actual behaviour.
In the last sentence, what does the first "it" refer to?

If the knowledge about returning None doesn't help you, try some
standard(??) techniques like inserting print statements or debugger
break-points.

HTH,
John

Thanks! That was exactly what it was. I solved it by using "return
function(args+1 )" instead of simply "function(args+ 1)."

That takes care of only 1 of the two cases of returning None instead
of True/False.

>
btw Steven you are so witty I hope to one day pwn noobs on newsgroups
too.

Wit has nothing to do with it. The fact that you are a Python noob is
also irrelevant. Your problem statement was unintelligible, as is your
response. What does "pwn" mean?

[Terry Reedy]

"John Machin" <sj******@lexic on.netwrote in message
news:11******** **************@ q2g2000cwa.goog legroups.com...

| On Feb 14, 5:45 pm, "agent-s" <shanek...@gmai l.comwrote:
| btw Steven you are so witty I hope to one day pwn noobs on newsgroups
| too.

Sorry, but you are 'pwning' yourself here ;-)

| Wit has nothing to do with it. The fact that you are a Python noob is
| also irrelevant. Your problem statement was unintelligible, as is your
| response. What does "pwn" mean?

I believe that it is a misspelling of 'own' used by pvp (person versus
person, as opposed to person versus monster) gamers to demonstrate their
in-ness. But perhaps agent-s can enlightenment us further.

Terry Jan Reedy (occasional, non-elite gamer)

[Paul Rubin]

"John Machin" <sj******@lexic on.netwrites:

What does "pwn" mean?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pwn

[John Machin]

On Feb 14, 7:02 pm, "Terry Reedy" <tjre...@udel.e duwrote:

"John Machin" <sjmac...@lexic on.netwrote in message

news:11******** **************@ q2g2000cwa.goog legroups.com...

| On Feb 14, 5:45 pm, "agent-s" <shanek...@gmai l.comwrote:
| btw Steven you are so witty I hope to one day pwn noobs on newsgroups
| too.

Sorry, but you are 'pwning' yourself here ;-)

And the referent of "you" would be .....?

>
| Wit has nothing to do with it. The fact that you are a Python noob is
| also irrelevant. Your problem statement was unintelligible, as is your
| response. What does "pwn" mean?

I believe that it is a misspelling of 'own' used by pvp (person versus
person, as opposed to person versus monster) gamers to demonstrate their
in-ness. But perhaps agent-s can enlightenment us further.

So "enlightenm ent" has been verbed, has it? I didn't realise that the
language had been transitioned so far :-)

Cheers,
John

[Michael Bentley]

On Feb 14, 2007, at 3:08 AM, John Machin wrote:

So "enlightenm ent" has been verbed, has it? I didn't realise that the
language had been transitioned so far :-)

*ALL* nouns may be verbed ;-)

-michael
---
# Something just doesn't seem right in those
# "Every kiss begins with 'K'" commercials.

>>'Every Kiss'.startswit h('K')

False