How could I reduce the length of this code?

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1.00/5 (2 votes)

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I need to reduce the length of this code in Python3 as much as possible (even if it will be less readable):

Python

a,b,x,y=[int(i) for i in input().split()]
while 1: 
     r=''
     if y<b:r='S';y+=1
     if y>b:r='N';y-=1 
     if x<a:r+='E';x+=1
     if x>a:r+='W';x-=1
     print(r)

It's a map: you are on (x,y) and you need to go to (a,b) S for South N for North NE for North East.... After each turn I must tell where to go using print.

For example could I put all the if on one line ?

Posted 7-May-15 8:36am

Member 11673041

Updated 7-May-15 21:52pm

Richard MacCutchan

v3

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ZurdoDev 7-May-15 15:45pm

Why?

jgakenhe 7-May-15 16:39pm

Probably for a class assignment.

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 7-May-15 18:23pm

This is not a valid Python code, to start with. You need to indent it properly.
—SA

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Richard MacCutchan · Answer 1 · 2015-05-07T23:11:00

Solution 1

The variable r can be dispensed with as it is not necessary. You could also improve the while loop so it actually completes, as follows:

Python

while (a != x or b != y):
    if y>b:y-=1;print('North', y)
    if y<b:y+=1;print('South', y)
    if x<a:x+=1;print('East', x)
    if x>a:x-=1;print('West', x)

Posted 7-May-15 23:11pm

Richard MacCutchan

Updated 7-May-15 23:13pm

v2