Python generate custom combinations of sub lists

Question

I'm generating a custom combination of sub lists without using itertools.

Here's what I've come up with:

input = [[1, 2], [2, 3], [4, 3]]
output = [[1, 2, 2, 3], [1, 2, 4, 3], [2, 3, 4, 3]]
def getList():
 a = [[1, 2], [2, 3], [4, 3]]
 return(a)
c=[] # output list
l = len(getList())
for i in range(l):
 for j in range(i+1,l):
 a=getList()
 a[i].extend(a[j])
 c.append(a[i])

As the extend() updates the input list, I defined a function to redefine the input. Is it a recommended practice? What could be improved here?

• Peilonrayz: Why don't you want to use itertools? Because using itertools is recommended practice...
• Van Peer: @Peilonrayz no reason as such, was just trying how to achieve without it.
• Ludisposed: @VanPeer You have a hardcoded input() in get_List(), what would happen if the input changes?
• Ludisposed: These are not all combinations of a list
• Van Peer: @Ludisposed thanks! assuming input doesn't change. i needed only the combinations specified in the output. i didn't mention all combinations, did i? anyways, updated.

Answer 1

1. Use a function.

2. Don't mutate data you don't want to be mutated.

   Rather than using list.extend, use list.__add__. However don't use list.__iadd__, as that has the same problem as list.extend.

3. Learn how to copy Python objects. You can use list([1, 2, 3]) to make a copy of the list. You can also use the copy library too.

4. Don't waste memory, just yield. If you need a list use list(product(...))

def product(input):
 for i in range(len(input)):
 for j in range(i+1, len(input)):
 yield input[i] + input[j]

• Ludisposed: Yield is better then mine, memorywise, but don't use input as a variable name. :)
• Peilonrayz: @Ludisposed You could always use a generator, rather than list, comprehension. And shadowing built-ins is fine IMO. It's not like the OP's going to use the original input in the function.
• Ludisposed: I just try to avoid shadowing built ins, at all costs! Maybe just a bit paranoid :$
• Peilonrayz: @Ludisposed There are good arguments for and good against. I don't think you'll confuse input as builtins.input in a small 4 lines of code function. If however it were a 200 line function I'd whole heartedly agree. I do admit it's not that great a variable name, but we don't have context to improve on that.

Answer 2

What could be improved here?

@thnx Peilonrayz, a generator expression will work better on large inputs

1. Use a nested generator expression.
2. DON'T hardcode variables, this will make your code very static.
3. Make a function, to accept different variables.

---

def custom_combo(L):
 return (L[i] + L[j] for i in range(len(L)) for j in range(i+1, len(L)))
if __name__ == '__main__':
 a = [[1, 2], [2, 3], [4, 3]]
 print(list(custom_combo(a)))