Computer Science 101 Lists in Python

The need for lists Often we need many different variables that play a similar role in the program Often we need many different variables that play a similar role in the program For example, suppose we have a temperature reading for each day of the year and need to manipulate these values several times within a program. For example, suppose we have a temperature reading for each day of the year and need to manipulate these values several times within a program. With simple variables, With simple variables, We would need to use 365 variables.We would need to use 365 variables. We would not be able to loop over these variables.We would not be able to loop over these variables.

Lists A list is a numbered collection of variables. A list is a numbered collection of variables. The variables in a list share the same name and are distinguished from one another by their numbers or subscripts. The variables in a list share the same name and are distinguished from one another by their numbers or subscripts. We can loop through the variables of a list by using a variable for the subscript. We can loop through the variables of a list by using a variable for the subscript. The subscripts are always 0,1,…, size-1 The subscripts are always 0,1,…, size-1

Referencing List Elements Suppose we have a list, temperature, for the temperature readings for the year. Suppose we have a list, temperature, for the temperature readings for the year. The subscripts would be 0,1,…,364. The subscripts would be 0,1,…,364. To refer to the reading for a given day, we use the name of the list with the subscript in brackets: temperature[4] for the fifth day. To refer to the reading for a given day, we use the name of the list with the subscript in brackets: temperature[4] for the fifth day temperature temperature[4]

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Random numbers For testing purposes or for simulations, it is convenient to let the computer generate random data for us. For testing purposes or for simulations, it is convenient to let the computer generate random data for us. In Python there is a library, random, that has a lot of tools for working with random numbers. In Python there is a library, random, that has a lot of tools for working with random numbers.

Randrange random.randrange random.randrange random.randrange(num) gives a random number in range 0,…,(num-1) random.randrange(num) gives a random number in range 0,…,(num-1) random.randrange(num1,num2) gives random number in range num1,…,(num2-1)random.randrange(num1,num2) gives random number in range num1,…,(num2-1)

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Appending to a List If we have a list, say scores, we can add a value, say num, to the list by scores.append(num) If we have a list, say scores, we can add a value, say num, to the list by scores.append(num)

Random Lists To build a random list of values, we can To build a random list of values, we can Start with an empty list, []Start with an empty list, [] Then append random values to the listThen append random values to the list

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