Question

I’m trying to learn python (with a VBA background).

I’ve imported the following function into my interpreter:

def shuffle(dict_in_question):  #takes a dictionary as an argument and shuffles it
    shuff_dict = {}
    n = len(dict_in_question.keys())
    for i in range(0, n):
        shuff_dict[i] = pick_item(dict_in_question)
    return shuff_dict

following is a print of my interpreter;

>>> stuff = {"a":"Dave", "b":"Ben", "c":"Harry"}
>>> stuff
{'a': 'Dave', 'c': 'Harry', 'b': 'Ben'}
>>> decky11.shuffle(stuff)
{0: 'Harry', 1: 'Dave', 2: 'Ben'}
>>> stuff
{}
>>> 

It looks like the dictionary gets shuffled, but after that, the dictionary is empty. Why? Or, am I using it wrong?

Answer 1

You need to assign it back to stuff too, as you’re returning a new dictionary.

>>> stuff = decky11.shuffle(stuff)