Algorithm to choose number of random numbers from list in python?

Question

I am looking for an efficient way (pseudocode will do) to choose a given number of values randomly from the list preferably "Pythonic way". Values have to come from unique indexes of the list

So for example:

list = [0,1,2,3,4,5,24]

def choose(number_of_values, list):
    # method

return_val = choose(3, list)
# return_val = [2, 4, 3]

Most pythonic way ever `random.sample(list, 4)` P.s DONT name your variables as `list` as they shadow the builtin — Bhargav Rao, Apr 16 '15 at 16:22
Take a look at this: [https://docs.python.org/2/library/random.html](https://docs.python.org/2/library/random.html) — Chan Kha Vu, Apr 16 '15 at 16:23

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 16 '15 at 16:22

2

Its what that random.sample is for.

>>> import random
>>> random.sample([0,1,2,3,4,5,24],3)
[2, 24, 5]

answered Apr 16 '15 at 16:22

Mazdak

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score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 16 '15 at 16:22

Use a for loop and append the random choices to a list, then return. Also, don't use list as a variable name, it shadows the built-in.

import random

def choose(number_of_values, lst):
    _temp = []
    for i in range(number_of_values):
        _temp.append(random.choice(lst))
    return _temp

Algorithm to choose number of random numbers from list in python?

2 Answers2