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Python Python Basics Functions and Looping Raise an Exception

Posted by Charles Magee
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Charles Magee
Python Development Techdegree Student 657 Points

Can I get some guidance here

suggestinator.py 
def suggest(product_idea):
    return product_idea + "inator"
understand = input("What's your Product idea")
    if proudct_idea <= 3:
        raise ValueError ("Sorry your product idea is too short"

3 Answers

Mei Lee
Mei Lee
3,339 Points
Mei Lee
Mei Lee
3,339 Points

Here's a few hints:

  • You don't need the input(). When the suggest function is called, we pass along the product idea, which is used inside the function.

  • You could use the len() function to find the length of the String that is stored in the product_idea.

  • You could put the return statement last

rayorke
rayorke
27,709 Points
rayorke
rayorke
27,709 Points

Hi Charles!

I'll try to provide a bit of direction for this without giving it away. When Python processes a function, it handles things in sequence:

def function_name(argument):
   if condition is true then:
       this
   else:
       do this

I've broken down the process line by line.

  1. We are passing the argument of product_idea to the function - therefore, we don't need to worry about getting input from the user.
  2. We test the argument. In this case, we will want to use the len function, as Mei Lee suggested to find the length of the string product_idea, and see if it is less than 3 (not less than or equal to).
  3. If the argument is true (product_idea is less than 3), then we raise a ValueError - we can pass a string back to the user to let them know what the error is. This is returned to the user and the function stops.
  4. Here's where we use else - if the argument is false, then product_idea is equal to, or greater than 3, so we can return the product_idea + "inator"

I hope that helps you understand the challenge a bit more clearly. You'll be writing a lot of these in Python, so this will become easy in no time!

Tinevimbo Gororo
PLUS
Tinevimbo Gororo
Courses Plus Student 42 Points
Tinevimbo Gororo
Tinevimbo Gororo
Courses Plus Student 42 Points 
def suggest(product_idea):
    if len(product_idea) < 3:
        raise ValueError("Suggestion is too short")
    return product_idea + "inator"