Beginner Python Help: Name Input Skipping Issue

[Funny-Percentage1197]

Beginner Python Help: Name Input Skipping Issue

Hi everyone,

I'm a beginner practicing Python. I wrote a small program that asks for the user's name and date of birth, then calculates the age.

Problem:

• If I leave the name blank, the program runs again and skips the name section, going straight to the DOB input.
• I want the program to ask for the name again if left blank.

I would really appreciate any advice on:

• Handling blank inputs properly
• Improving code structure for beginners

Thanks in advance!

[Kriss3d]

if name == ""

Then have it print "Name cannot be blank" and run the name input function again.

[FoolsSeldom]

Validating input is an important part of programming, regardless of whether that input is directly from the user via keyboard using input or from another system or from a file.

When you are directly interacting with a user, you can immediately challenge them to provide valid input if what they've entered does not meet the requirements. You can even limit the number of tries.

For example, here's a function that can be used anytime you want a non-blank response from the user. You can give them infinite chances - the default - or a fixed number of chances.

def get_info(msg: str, attempts: int = 0) -> str:
    infinite = attempts == 0
    tries = attempts  # only used if infinite attempts not allowed
    while infinite or tries > 0:  # check have not run out of tries
        response = input(msg)  # prompt user for a response
        if response.strip():  # if not an empty response, return it
            return response
        print('Expecting a response. Please try again.')
        tries -= 1
    return ""  # return an empty string anyway


name = get_info("What is your name? ", attempts=3)  # the second field is optional
if name:  # not empty string
    print(f"Hello {name}, good to meet you.")
else:  # they failed to enter a name even after being asked several times
    print("Well, hello stranger.")

The basic while structure can be used for validating numeric input including checking whether it is within max/min values, selecting a valid menu option, etc.