Python question: I need to make this code more DRY:

[nixnerd]

I have an elif and an else that are repeated in this code. However, I can’t find another way to incorporate these without breaking my very simple program.

What do you guys suggest?

By the way… I’m aware this program does basically nothing at the moment. I just started it like an hour ago.

Thanks!

[nixnerd]

I also have raw_input() way too many times.

[__]

Apparently, elif/else is the preferred solution where other languages might use a switch statement. I don’t really like the way it looks, but I have to admit the reasoning is sound and it works the same way (which the exception of case fall-through, which is arguably more of a bug than a feature).

As for raw_input, I disagree: just because you have to do it in most cases doesn’t mean it’s not dry. The alternative is to put it into a function that does the same thing, but then you have to call that function repeatedly, so what have you accomplished? un-pythonic.

Another possibility would be

while running == True:

    status = raw_input()

    if clockedIn = False:
    # etc. ...

Obviously, the status doesn’t need to be updated when you stop, but would it hurt anything?

[nixnerd]

Wait… Are you saying not to use if? What if I need a 3-way logical fork? Hmmm. I guess I could figure out another way.

[__]

Wait… Are you saying not to use if?

umm… no

Sorry, I think we got mixed up somewhere. Given your situation, I would normally use a switch statement. Given the fact that python doesn’t have a switch statement, I would use if/elif/else (as you did). I was just pointing out that that appears to be the “correct” solution anyway.

If you’re talking about the raw_input question, I was asking if you could just leave out the status assignment in each case, since you already did it anyway (at the beginning of the while loop). Is there a reason for assigning it again?

[Alen]

I’m not a Python developer. But found this, might be helpful: http://code.activestate.com/recipes/410692/

[nixnerd]

I’m going to look at both of these more closely and see what I can do about this.

I just don’t like that it’s already 50 lines and barely does anything.

[nixnerd]

I wrote this stupidly because I’m printing all the questions/prompts. I could just use raw_input(arg) and put the prompt where the arg is. Plus, I’m pretty sure I could use argv instead of raw_input. There are only 3 options, raw_input isn’t really the best idea here. It’s not like I’m going to perform some wizardry on whatever garbage string they give me. It’s either option 1, 2 or 3.

Poorly written. But… that’s what new git commits are for!

[nixnerd]

Thought I’d share this with you gentlemen:

You’ve undoubtedly seen this but if you haven’t… you both know how to do math. I still find it interesting. Sometimes it’s good to spend time revamping your workflow… even if you have to write an app yourself.

[__]

How about this? Just abstracted a few things.

[__]

You’ve undoubtedly seen this…

Yes, indeed.

Have you seen this? Might help you understand your place in the world as you embark on learning this fine language

[nixnerd]

I’m going to download this and run it a few times. There was a problem that was bothering me so much last night and now I can’t think of it. I need to run it and feed it a bunch of stuff to remember.

Thanks @traq!

[nixnerd]

Might help you understand your place in the world as you embark on learning this fine language.

HA HA HA HA! So true! Although… DAMN! I had no idea everyone thinks they’re superior to Java programmers. I mean, I learned Java in a CS class like everybody else in college and didn’t like it but… I have a little more respect for that language in particular.

Also… for me, C is the holy grail. When I can learn that, I’ll truly ‘feel’ like a real programmer.

[nixnerd]

On a side note, I’m going to write everything for my BBB project in Python. It is literally the perfect choice for that project.

[nixnerd]

To quote Zed Shaw:

“If you are reading this book and flipping out at every third sentence because you feel I’m insulting your intelligence… Go learn Lisp. I hear people who know everything really like Lisp.”

[Author]

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