Assign functions to variables, and use random on them

Question

Thanks for taking the time to ready thru my question.

At the moment I'm creating a method for a class, and below is what I've got so far.

def scramble_words_password(self, words):
    if words:
        words = words.split()
        words_count = range(len(words))

        while True:
            num = random.choice(words_count)
            del(words_count[num])
            password = [letter for letter in list(words[num])]

A few months ago i came across a tutorial, that explained how to assing functions to variables, and use something like random on them but i cant find it again...

What I want in my function/method is a way to randomly use letter.lower() and letter.upper() on the comprehension on the bottom line of my function/method, but how can i achieve that and still keep it all in the comprehension.

FYI, I know that the function ATM is an infinity loop, so no smart remarks please ;)

Function names act much like variables. You can pass them into other functions as parameters or make a list of functions. — Code-Apprentice, May 29 '17 at 07:13
I think your question is answered here: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10354163/assigning-a-function-to-a-variable — rghome, May 29 '17 at 10:17
Possible duplicate of [Assigning a function to a variable](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/10354163/assigning-a-function-to-a-variable) — rghome, May 29 '17 at 10:18

Netwave · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-29T09:41:38.200

User random.choice over a list of methods to call:

def scramble_words_password(self, words):
    if words:
        words = words.split()
        words_count = range(len(words))
        words_funcs = [str.upper, str.lower]
        while True:
            num = random.choice(words_count)
            del(words_count[num])
            password = [random.choice(words_funcs)(letter) for letter in list(words[num])]

Main call explain, random.choice(words_funcs)(letter), will choose a random element from the list, as they are callables you can just pass the letter to them. Keep in mind that all methods from strings (also other built-in types) can be called statically, so a list with str.lower and str.upper will do.

Exactly what I looked for THANKS :) – Alexander May 29 '17 at 07:28 — Alexander, May 29 '17 at 07:28

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered May 29 '17 at 07:14

0

Function names act much like variables. You can pass them into other functions as parameters or make a list of functions. I suggest you create a list of functions and randomly select a list element.

answered May 29 '17 at 07:14

Code-Apprentice

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Can you provide me with an example? when I try to put upper() and lower() in a list I get a not defined error – Alexander May 29 '17 at 07:17
Because you are calling them! You should add the function declaration (i.e. the function name) `func_list = [str.upper, str.lower]`. Then, to call a random function: `random.choice(func_list)("string")` – Carles Mitjans May 29 '17 at 07:21
@Alexander use just the name. Parentheses **calls** the function. – Code-Apprentice May 29 '17 at 09:37
@CarlesMitjans I suggest splitting the choice and the call into two lines. – Code-Apprentice May 29 '17 at 09:37
can i ask why i got down voted? – Alexander May 29 '17 at 09:58

Assign functions to variables, and use random on them

2 Answers2