Slicing n points or as many as possible from list

Question

I'm using python slicing to take elements from a list but don't know if there are going to be enough in there.

At the moment I'm doing this, which feels ugly:

        if index + num_to_take > len(values):
            bit = values[index: ]
        else:
            bit = values[index:index + num_to_take]

Is there a better way?

Just use `bit = values[index:index + num_to_take]` by itself. It will default to `values[index: ]` if there aren't enough numbers. — John Coleman, Jun 02 '20 at 14:18

paradocslover · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-02T14:28:28.367

1

You can skip the if condition altogether.

bit = values[index:index + num_to_take] would run just fine.

Taking advantage of how slicing works in python. Read this for more information.

edited Jun 02 '20 at 14:28

answered Jun 02 '20 at 14:18

paradocslover

Accepted. you answered too fast for me to accept it when I first read it! – The Gribble Jun 02 '20 at 16:48
Ohhh... Thanx ;) – paradocslover Jun 02 '20 at 17:02

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 02 '20 at 14:19

1

There is no need of ifs

bit = values[index:index + num_to_take] will run fine

answered Jun 02 '20 at 14:19

Rajas Rasam

2 Answers2