How to change multiple variables ever iteration of a for loop

Question

I'm trying to be able to add a random number generated between 1 and 5 using randint and be able to add that to a list. There are multiple lists however, so for example, on the first iteration of a loop I want it to add data to the list "car1", then on the second add the random data to the list "car2". I've attempted this below.

car1 = []
car2 = []
car3 = []
car4 = []
car5 = []

for i in range(5):
    rand0m = randint(1,5)
    car{0}.append(rand0m).format(i)

I know that the {0}.format only workds with strings, it was just to show you what Im trying to do. I am using Python 3

I think you are better off putting your lists into a container list and iterating that container list. I understand what you are trying to do but this is not good practice whatsoever. — , Sep 25 '14 at 08:34
Don't use separate lists. Put the lists into another list instead. — Martijn Pieters, Sep 25 '14 at 08:38

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 25 '14 at 08:33

You could store all your lists inside another list and reference the embedded lists using the index of the containing list, e.g.

car1 = []
car2 = []
car3 = []
car4 = []
car5 = []
cars = [car1,car2,car3,car4,car5]
for i in range(5):
    rand0m = randint(1,5)
    cars[i].append(rand0m)

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 25 '14 at 08:34

If you have to name variables in the manner that it is suffixed by a sequential numbers, then you ideally should create a list in python, which makes it earier to index, as you are intending here

cars = [[] for _ in range(5)]

for i in range(5):
    rand0m = randint(1,5)
    cars[i].append(rand0m)

How to change multiple variables ever iteration of a for loop

2 Answers2