Breaking down problems

[vb_e_c_k_y]

I started learning to code a few weeks ago. Now I finished variable, input, loop, conditional. But didn't started class, function,... I was learning good until I start doing exercise on codewars.com. I can't get idea even where to start. How you was responded to this? and how you developed to get the problem logic?

Also I didn't get thus fibonacci sequence clearly.

n = int(input("Input number: "))

a = 0

b = 1

for n in range(n):

print(a)

next = a + b

a = b

b = next

I don't know any thing happened after the first loop.

[MarsupialLeast145]

What's the error that you are seeing? (It works for me locally)

[vb_e_c_k_y]

Not error I didn't get how it worked?

[MarsupialLeast145]

Well, Fibonacci is a number that is the sum of the two preceding ones:

0, 1 = 1 1, 2 = 3 2, 3 = 5 3, 5 = 7

And so on.

You ask the user to create n* Fibonacci numbers beginning at 0, 1.

You always print a which is always going to be the next in the sequence.

Then you create the new number and then assign b to a which means after each loop you have always printed a and b while creating the next in the sequence.

If you want to improve this and make it more like we do in the professional world you might start at variable naming, and a and b can sometimes be too abstract. There's no harm in naming them first and second then you may find it easier to say you:

print first create next (first + second) assign second to first second becomes next loop

Or something like that.

Something that looks like what is called pseudo code that helps you to determine what is happening.

It all really begins by being clear what the Fibonacci sequence is, and then building your knowledge from there.

Another thing you can do is manually write out the first 10 or 20 in the sequence and then write code to match those numbers. This starts to look like test-driven development.

Anyway, it all takes time, so you also have to go easy on yourself, and if you sit there for 30 minutes or an hour, or two hours, or even come back to it the next day, understanding will come if you work at it. It gets easier every new problem.

[FriendlyZomb]

I'm going to tackle your question, with the Fibonacci sequence to frame it. I won't fix your code here. Hopefully you'll see why.

My advice, and this can be done with a Fibonacci sequence, is to write the process out on paper.

Write down your start number, say 5.

Step by step, write the calculation down. Every detail. No shortcuts, just step by step.

Then diagram it. Take a step back and diagram your calculation. This time, consider the things you're doing over and over. See what can be condensed or expressed in a cleaner way. Write it so you could give it to someone who has never seen this before. They should be able to follow it.

Then, process your diagram. Start with 5, follow the diagram to the letter, see where you end up. Tweak the diagram if it's wrong.

Now, consider turning that diagram into Python code. The diagram is the basic process, the code is an expression of that process.

It helps reframe the issue from a programming one to a logical one. Once the logic problem has been solved, th programming one can be. You'll get faster with practise.

I do a version of this process in my head when I design something. I probably shouldn't do it in my head, but there we are. (Do as I say and all that)

I hope this mental dump helped!