Code Golf in Python refers to attempting to solve a problem using the least amount of characters possible. Like in Golf, the low score wins, the fewest amount of characters “wins”. Python is a fantastic language for code golfing due to backward compatibility, quirks, it being a high-level language, and all the coercion.
Full Answer
What is code golfing in Python?
Like in Golf, the low score wins, the fewest amount of characters “wins”. Python is a fantastic language for code golfing due to backward compatibility, quirks, it being a high-level language, and all the coercion. So, here we will look at some Code golfing techniques in Python language.
What is code golf and why should you learn it?
No matter the views, code golf is a way to learn something new about a language that you’ve already been familiar with for a long time. With the CodinGame platform supporting only the conventional languages, Python is among the best golfing languages available, being slightly more verbose than Perl, Ruby or Bash.
How many characters do you need to beat the code golf puzzle?
For the occasion, CodinGame agreed to release a new Code Golf puzzle, created from the well-known Chuck Norris puzzle. Feel free to try it and see how you stack up against others! My current score to beat: 127 characters in Python 3.
How to write a good code-golf challenge answer?
For instance, answers to code-golf challenges should attempt to be as short as possible. You can always include a readable version of the code in addition to the competitive one. Explanations of your answer make it more interesting to read and are very much encouraged.
What is the best golfing language?
With the CodinGame platform supporting only the conventional languages, Python is among the best golfing languages available, being slightly more verbose than Perl, Ruby or Bash.
Can Python do arithmetic?
Python has no problem doing arithmetic between a Boolean and a string, which means similar methods can be applied to strings as well: print ( ['hello','world'] [X]) #27 Chars print (X*'world'or'hello') #25 Chars.
Buy the book
Forest Bomber is one of the four games covered in the book Game Programming with Code Angel, available on Amazon now.
3. For Loops
In Python a for loop is used to repeat something a certain number of times. In the game of golf we use a for loop to display each hole on the scoreboard.
4. If: Draw the Flag
In this video you will learn how the Python if statement is used in the golf game to decide which hole flag to draw.
6. Random Flag
In this video we explain how to use Python’s random.randint () function to determine where to draw the flag on each golf hole.
7. Move Ball Logic
In this tutorial we will take a closer look at the game code logic used to move the golf ball across the screen.
8. Nested If
You have learned from previous tutorial videos that if statements can be used to make decisions in Python. In this video we demonstrate how if statements can be nested.
9. Variable Names
When coding games in Python, it is important to use meaningful and readable variable names. In this video we explain how camel case and macro case can be used to make variables and constants more readable.
Tips for golfing in Python
If you have any tips for golfing in Python, add them as answers to this post.
Combine conditionals
Python has its fair share of comparison operators and can actually be used in a single conditional. For example:
Use lambda s instead of functions
At most times, lambda s tend to make smaller code, which is helpful in golfing. Assigning a lambda is easy, just do:
Replace print loops by list unpacking
If you want to print elements of a list one per line, the straightforward way to do it is a loop:
Renaming functions
A funny, cool, and useful trick. If you have to write a single function multiple times (usually range () on for loops), then you can simply assign a variable by the function's name, no parentheses. An example assignment is:
Combine loops
Suppose you have a for loop in another, maybe a couple of times, and nothing else inside of the outer for loops (except for the first for loop since anything outside won't be involved at all). It's probably a range () problem again.
Using Functions
- Sibling of Floor function: Suppose we want to find the floor value of a real number, we generally import floor function from math and then apply on the number. But we can simply apply the floor div...
Using Indexing
- Indexing Technique for conditions: When we have a certain condition which will give the answer in the form of small integers then we can use that in integer index in list or tuple to get our final...
Using Assignment
- Assigning the same values to multiple variables: We can assign the same value to multiple variables either in a single line or multiple lines. Original Code:
Using Conversion
- Converting iterables into the list: Imagine you have any ordered iterable like a tuple or string but you want to convert it into a list, so you can do this with * operator. Original Code:
During Joining of Different Iterables
- Joining multiple Lists: We can join the multiple lists using + operator, but for code golfing we can do the same using * operator. Original Code: