Sampling selects one or more values from a collection. Python’s random module distinguishes choosing one item, selecting several unique items, and sampling with replacement. section 9.1.4 section 9.5
Use the function that matches the required sampling behavior:
- Use random.choice(items) to return one item. section 9.1.4
- Use random.sample(items, k) to return k distinct items in a new list. section 9.1.4
- Use random.choices(items, k) when repeated selections are allowed because sampling occurs with replacement. section 9.1.4
- Call random.seed(value) before sampling when repeated runs must produce the same pseudo-random choices. section 9.0 section 9.5
Generate an insult
Select several adjectives without repetition, select one noun, and format the result: adjs = ', '.join(random.sample(adjectives, k=3)); print(f'You {adjs} {random.choice(nouns)}!'). section 9.3.6
Mutate exact character positions
For a target number of mutations, sample character indexes with random.sample(range(len(text)), num_mutations), then replace each selected character using slices and random.choice(alpha). section 10.1.3 section 10.3.1
$ ./abuse.py You slanderous, rotten block! You lubbery, scurilous ratcatcher! You rotten, foul liar!
Inspect repeated program runs to see different sampled combinations in the generated output. section 9.0
