🔒 Beginner: Reset global scope counter used in a function

[fossil frigate]

##
## 1.) defining function
##        
def SecondHalfMoveAlgo():
    xx = get_pos_x()
    yy = get_pos_y()
    if xx == 2 and yy < 3:
        move(North)
    elif xx == 2 and yy == 3:
        move(North)
        move(East)
    elif xx == 3 and yy < 3:
        move(North)
    elif xx == 3 and yy == 3 and count < 2:
        move(North)
        move(West)
    elif xx == 3 and yy == 3 and count == 2:
        move(East)
        move(North)
        count = 0
        quick_print(count, "Reset")
##
##
## 2.)execution part of code
#
clear()
count = 0
initialPlanting(3)
while True:
    if get_pos_x() <= 1:
        harvestCarrBushSun()
        HalfMapAlgoMove()
    elif get_pos_x() >= 2:
            harvestCarrBushSun()
            SecondHalfMoveAlgo()
            if get_pos_x() == 3 and get_pos_y() == 3:
                count +=1
                quick_print(count)    ```


I have this code. In the `execution part` is the golbal variable `count = 0` defined. The counter will be `+=1` after the function `SecondHalfMoveAlgo` is executed. In the same function in the last elif satement I try to reset the count to zero again. The following error occurs
`Error: Trying to create a local variable with the name count. count already exists in an outer scope.` I understand the Error. But I dont understand how to fix this or work around this.

[strong cliff]

@fossil frigate

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[quaint trail]

If a function reassigns a global, you need a global statement in the function so the assignment is compiled as a global assignment instead of a local one.

[lost folio]

you need to put global count somewhere inside of your SecondHalfMoveAlgo() function before the code that tries to set/modify the global variable in that function (count = 0)
usually that is done at the top of the function for those variables that the function will want to change

[fossil frigate]

Thanks for the fast help 🖤 lets assume I do not have the global function. Is there a way?

[quaint trail]

You always have the global statement. It's a part of the language.

If you're not allowed to use it for some reason, no. You would need to do something like return the new count.

[fossil frigate]

I am not allowed to 😅

[quaint trail]

Then no.

[lost folio]

then you need to pass the information as a parameter to the function and return the new value from the function

[quaint trail]

You'd need to return the new score and assign the global at the callsite. Or do something hacky like store the global in a mutable container, and then mutate the container.

(Prefer the former. The latter was just an example of how this could also be done in a pinch)

[lost folio]

hahaha, yeah, that is hacky
something like a list or dict
not preferred, but certainly creative 😆

[quaint trail]

It's kind of a step down from classes, so it's worth at least understanding, I think. Once you make a class, the self would be the mutable object holding what may otherwise be globals.

But ya, using a list purely to avoid global would not be a good idea for real code, but it's worth looking into and understanding why it works.

[fossil frigate]

let me understand what you are saying😅
instead of count = 0 put this into a list ( only object in there). than, while defining the function, make a change to the index in the list? Than later get the changed index in the list and use this as the counter?

somehow... maybe... I dont understand myself ^^

[quaint trail]

!e

some_global = [0]

def func(x):
    x[0] = 1

func(some_global)
print(some_global)

[strong cliff]

:white_check_mark: Your 3.12 eval job has completed with return code 0.

[1]

[quaint trail]

But don't actually do this in real code if the goal is just to avoid global

[lost folio]

variables only hold a reference to mutable objects in python, so you can modify their content from anywhere where you can access that reference

when you do variable_name = (and then some more code) to a variable that already exist, you are pointing that variable to new data, replacing the old reference to the prior data

[fossil frigate]

I wont do that later on. Right now I would love to understand the solution. I will go and implement and try the syntax you posted

[quaint trail]

If you need this for an assignment, it would probably be cleaner to just return True/False from the function to determine if the count should be reset

[fossil frigate]

Yes but the function I am defining, is not generating anything. But I need it to stop after 2 times and choose the different rout elif

[fossil frigate]

there is no time limit. gladly ^^

[fossil frigate]

works like a charm now

thanks guys! much much appreciated!

[lost folio]

what did you end up using in the end, a return value from the function or that hacky thing with a mutable data structure in a global variable?

[quaint trail]

(Please don't say the latter. I'm beginning to regret mentioning it)

[strong cliff]

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