Random selection of elements of a list with exception

Question

import random

a = [1, 2, 5, 3, 4, 5]
b = ["cat", "dog", "horse", "snake", "elephant", "goat"]

Hello! I am fairly new to programming. I'm sure it's not a difficult task, but I just can't find the solution.

I need a function in python to store a single random element from list "b" as a new list, but the elements that share the same index with elements from list "a" that are 5 must not be included in the random selection. So in my example, "horse" and "goat" must not be included in the random selection.

Welcome to Stack Overflow! Please take the tour. What have you already tried, and where are you stuck? There are at least three parts to this task: 1) compare a and b side-by-side, 2) filter b, 3) pick from the filtered items. Which do you need help with? If this is homework, please read How do I ask and answer homework questions? For more tips, see How to Ask. You can edit to add details. — wjandrea
– wjandrea, Commented Nov 13, 2021 at 21:59
Related: filter a list based on values in another list, How can I randomly select an item from a list? — wjandrea
– wjandrea, Commented Nov 13, 2021 at 22:04

mozway · Accepted Answer · 2021-11-13 21:57:29Z

1

You can use a list comprehension and random.choice:

import random

a = [1, 2, 5, 3, 4, 5]
b = ["cat", "dog", "horse", "snake", "elephant", "goat"]
c = [random.choice([e for i,e in zip(a,b) if i != 5])]

Example output: ['dog']

answered Nov 13, 2021 at 21:57

mozway

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