What is the recommended way to randomize a list of strings using Python

Question

Hi all, with regard to the above topic - my question is simple. Let me elaborate - So my input in this particular case is a list of strings. And the output I expect is a list with the same strings but in random order.

In case if there are any duplicates then it must be considered too - As in, if the same string can appear more than once in the input, the same follows through in the output as well.

I am aware of methods to go about achieving this like using loops for example. And this is what I am actually doing for now.

I am also aware that Python is amazingly easy to work with and there is a one-line statement which is used to cover this job. So, help?

Answer 1

Hi. Nice question.

Here is the simplified answer for you:

>>> import random
>>> x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 3, 4]
>>> random.shuffle(x)
>>> x
[4, 4, 3, 1, 2, 3]
>>> random.shuffle(x)
>>> x
[3, 4, 2, 1, 3, 4]

Random.shuffle does this exact job.

However, if you are open to more reading then I suggest reading the Fisher-Yates Shuffle methodology. 

Hope this helped!