Question

Write a soothsayer script that allows the user to submit a question. When the question is submitted, the script should choose a random response from a list of answers (such as "It could be", "Probably not", "Definitely", "Not looking too good" and "Yes" ) and display the answer to the client.

Short answer

Create a Python function using `random.choice` to select responses from a predefined list.

Step-by-step solution

Set Up Your Environment

First, ensure you have a development environment set up where you can write and test Python scripts. This could be a text editor like VSCode, or an online compiler such as Replit.

Import Necessary Libraries

In your script, begin by importing the `random` library in Python, which will be used to select a random response from a list. This can be done with the line `import random`.

Define a Function

Create a function named `soothsayer_response` that takes in a question from the user. This will be where the script chooses a response at random and returns it.

Create a List of Responses

Inside the function, define a list of possible responses. These could be, for instance, `["It could be", "Probably not", "Definitely", "Not looking too good", "Yes"]`.

Select a Random Response

Use the `random.choice` function to randomly select a response from the list. This can be achieved with `response = random.choice(responses)`, where `responses` is the list you created.

Return or Print the Response

Finally, return or print the randomly selected response to the user. This can be done with `return response` if you want to use it elsewhere, or `print(response)` to display it directly.

Test Your Script

Test your script by calling the `soothsayer_response` function within your script, and verify that asking a question results in a random answer being printed out each time.

Key concepts

Random Selection

Random selection is a fundamental concept in programming when you want your program to choose an option unpredictably from a set of options. In Python scripting, the `random` library offers a convenient way to incorporate randomness into your programs. One of its most commonly used functions is `random.choice`, which allows you to randomly select an element from a sequence, such as a list.
Here's how to use it:

• First, make sure to import the library with `import random`.
• Create a list containing the items you want to randomly select from. For instance, a list of responses: `responses = ["Yes", "No", "Maybe"]`.
• Then, use `random.choice(responses)` to randomly select a response from this list.

This functionality is perfect for tasks that require unpredictability, like games or decision-making tools, such as a soothsayer script.

Function Definition

Functions in Python are an essential part of the scripting process as they allow you to encapsulate code for reuse and organization. A function is defined using the `def` keyword followed by the function's name and parentheses.
Here's a simple breakdown of defining a function:

• Start by using the `def` keyword.
• Follow it with a function name that describes what the function does, like `soothsayer_response`.
• Include parentheses `()` after the name, where you can optionally include parameters that the function can use.
• Conclude the header with a colon `:`.
• Indent the lines of code under the function definition, which will be the body of the function. This is where the logic of the function resides.
• Optionally, use a `return` statement to send a result back to the caller.

In our soothsayer script, the function `soothsayer_response` takes a user's question, processes it, and returns a random answer. Functions help keep your code modular and easier to debug or extend.

Conditional Responses

Conditional responses in programming involve offering different outputs based on certain conditions or input. In Python, you can use conditional statements like `if`, `elif`, and `else` to decide which action to perform based on conditions.
For example, in our soothsayer scenario, although we use the randomness to select answers, you could also extend your script to provide conditional logic:

• Use an `if` statement to check specific conditions or keywords in the user's question.
• Sometimes specific questions might need certain types of answers like 'Will I pass tomorrow's exam?' inclined towards "Yes" or "Not looking too good" based on specific keywords.
• While our current script randomly chooses a response, having the capability to adjust responses can enhance user interaction.

Even though our example primarily relies on randomness, combining it with conditional logic can create more interactive and responsive scripts to user inquiries.