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Python Python Basics Functions and Looping Raise an Exception

Posted by Ryan Stjernholm
Ryan Stjernholm
452 Points

How do i label < 3 characters?

Is everything right up to where i get the error for my int(3)? How do i make the label for "3 characters"?

suggestinator.py 
def suggest(product_idea):
    return product_idea + "inator"
if product_idea < int(3)
    raise ValueError

1 Answer

Cooper Runstein
Cooper Runstein
11,850 Points
Cooper Runstein
Cooper Runstein
11,850 Points

You have a few problems with your code: First, your syntax is never going to work in your if statement because you're missing the ":" at the end of the line. Second, your if statement right now isn't doing anything meaningful, how would a computer know if the value of a string is less than 3? You need to find the length of the string product_idea using the len method. Also, there's no reason to use the int function on 3, 3 is already an integer and there is no possible way in your code for it to be anything else.

if len(product_idea) < 3:
   raise ValueError

Finally, even if you fix your if statement, it won't do anything. Why? Because it's following a return statement that will always return, meaning the rest of the code after the return won't run. To fix that, you need to put your if condition before the return, that way if you insert a string that's less than 3 characters in length, it'll get "caught" by the exception and won't be returned.

Ryan Stjernholm
Ryan Stjernholm
452 Points

You just cleared up so much confusion, I seriously can't thank you enough!