Follow-up question: My code is now this: aisle_one = ["chips", "bread", "pretzels", "magazines"] aisle_two = ["juice", "ice cream"] aisle_three = ["asparagus"]
def find_groceries(): grocery_list = open("grocery_list.txt", "r") for line in grocery_list.readlines(): line = line.strip() if line in aisle_one: first_run = "%s" % line + " - aisle one.\n" elif line in aisle_two: second_run = "%s" % line + " - aisle two.\n" elif line in aisle_three: third_run = "%s" % line + " - aisle three.\n" else: out_of_luck = "%s" % line print first_run, second_run, third_run print "I couldn't find any %s. Add it to the database. \n" % out_of_luck grocery_list.close() find_groceries() I can see that the variables first_run, second_run and third_run are writing over themselves while looping, which is logical, but this is not what I want. If I simply print them immediately instead of storing them as variables, all items will print, but not in the order I wish. The ultimate goal of the program will be to sort the items based on aisle locations. Is there an efficient way to do this? I think I want some kind of incremental counter going on in the loop to prevent them from overwriting themselves, or a way to store multiple variables, but I'm not sure how to do that. Thanks for any ideas. This list and all its participants are super helpful-- I'm very appreciative. Eric _______________________________________________ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org To unsubscribe or change subscription options: http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor