Question

I am currently playing around with the python-jabberbot and am having trouble creating a simple method which sends a random sentence. I am not proficient in python so I am wondering where I am going wrong. I have a feeling the way I am declaring the array is my downfall:

def whatdoyouknow(self, mess, args):
        """random response"""   
        string[0] = 'this is a longish sentence about things'
        string[1] = 'this is a longish sentence about things number 2'
        string[2] = 'this is a longish sentence about things number 3'

        i = random.randint(0, 2)
        return string[i]

Answer 1

You define a list literal by putting the elements in square brackets:

string = ['this is a longish sentence about things',
          'this is a longish sentence about things number 2',
          'this is a longish sentence about things number 3']

Alternatively, you build the list by defining an empty list, then appending the elements:

string = []
string.append('this is a longish sentence about things')
string.append('this is a longish sentence about things number 2')
string.append('this is a longish sentence about things number 3')

I strongly recommend you read the Python tutorial before continuing, it explains building python types and how to manipulate them for you.