Question

I need find element position in list (as the built-in predicate nth, but here the first element has index 1). But, I need also have an output like ‘Element is not present’ if not.
I try a solution not so elegant, assigning a big value to counter.
But it’s not the correct solution!!!
I’m afraid it’s very easy but I can’t find another solution !!!

Can anyone helps me?

search(L):-
      write('searching for: '),read(E),find(L,E,Pos),
      out(L,E,Pos),!.

out(E,Pos):-
          Pos < 10000,
          write('element '),write(E),write(' is in position n. '),write(Pos),!.

out(E,Pos):-
          Pos > 10000,
          write('Element '),write(E),write(' is not present!'),!.

find([X|Xs],E,Pos):-
                 X \= E,
                 find(Xs,E,Pos1),
                 Pos is Pos1 + 1.
find([],_,10000).
find([X],X,1).
find([X|_],X,Pos):-
                Pos is 1,!.

Answer 1

What you want is more something like this:

search(L):-
    write('searching for: '),read(E),
    finde(E).

finde(E) :-
    find(L,E,Pos), % find succeeds 
    out(L,E,Pos),!. % and prints, cut ensures we don't try next clause

finde(E) :- write('Element '),write(E),write(' is not present!'),!. % called if not found

That way you don’t need a strange find clause that always succeeds with a large number. Just let it fail.