Call Functions at Random then Call a Different Function in Python

user_15991297 0
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I am using random.choice() to randomly call functions in a list. It works ok but sometimes one of the criteria in the called function is not met so it does not run. When this happens I would like to call another, different function from the list.

func_list is populated dynamically and there may be one or multiple functions in the list.

Here's the code:

func_list[func_one, func_two, func_three]
random.choice(func_list)()

So, for example, say func_two was called but criteria in the function was not met I would like to call either func_one or func_three chosen at random. If the criteria in that function is not met I would like to call the other one.

Is it possible to do this?

python
4 Answers

To avoid calling the same function twice, I suggest shuffling the list and trying the functions one by one, e.g.

func_list = [func_one, func_two, func_three]
func_list_shuffled = func_list[:]  # shallow copy
random.shuffle(func_list_shuffled)

for func in func_list_shuffled:
    try:
        func()
    except:
        pass
    else:
        # no exception ocurred
        break
else:
    print("all functions errored")
user_36886480

A naive approach would be to add func_list as an argument to all of your functions and call the random.choice() if default function criteria is not met inside your functions. This would create a recursive solution until one of the functions do get executed.

Drawback: Might continue infinitely if none of the functions meet the criteria.

user_95562050

Just keep trying until it eventually works and remove the item from the list so it can't be called again:

func_list[func_one, func_two, func_three]

while true:
    i = random.choice(range(func_list))
    try:        
        return func_list[i]()
    except:
        func_list = func_list.remove(i)
user_143313340

Just try out random chosen functions till something works, but remove them from the list if they do not provide the desired result


# let functions follow this pattern
def base_func():
   if criterium:
       return False
   else:
       # Do something
       return True

func_list[func_one, func_two, func_three]

result = False
while result is False:
   if func_list == []:
       break
   chosen_func = random.choice(func_list)
   func_list.remove(chosen_func)  # Remove used function
   result = chosen_func()
user_148305340
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