beginner question about a code for converting inch(es) to cm
Hi,
I have just started learning Python and am a total newbie. Besides SoloLearn I am using a book designed for beginners which came with a CD with an IDLE on it. I am already having problems with the 3rd exercise, which is to write a code for converting inch(es) to cm.
inch=2.54
print("Please enter a value for inch.")
xi=float(input())
xcm=xi*inch
print(xi, "inch(es) equal", xcm, "cm")
playground: https://code.sololearn.com/c7D39UG6OhIF
The code seems to work in playground. It is also the sample solution given in the book (keep in mind, this is the very start of the book...). I had to look up the sample solution because I kept getting errors when creating own codes in the IDLE. Unfortunately, even the sample solution does not work in the IDLE:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<pyshell#2>", line 1, in <module>
xi=float(input())
ValueError: could not convert string to float:
As the code works with playground, I am thinking that something is wrong with the IDLE.
I hope you guys can help me.
Julian
The program you have written at codeplayground is correct. It's just that sololearn's input mechanism is different.
IDLE is a shell so it will evaluate line by line.
And you can enter any number either in IDLE or sololearn.
To fully run the code offline you need to create a source file like you did it here. Then compile and run it from command line/terminal like
> python inch_to_cms.py
or from with in the IDE (editor+compiler)
I think python installer comes with simple IDE from within which you can run your program
Julian
output from IDLE (from pydroid android app)
>>> inch=2.54
>>> print("Please enter a value for inch.")Please enter a value for inch.
>>> xi=float(input())
2
>>> xcm=xi*inch
>>> print(xi, "inch(es) equal", xcm, "cm")
2.0 inch(es) equal 5.08 cm
>>>
Julian
after >>> xi = float(input()) when you press enter you need to enter a value like 2. If you press enter it will be taken as empty string and you will get conversion error
>>> inch=2.54
>>> print("Please enter a value for inch.")
Please enter a value for inch.
>>> xi=float(input())
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<pyshell#2>", line 1, in <module>
xi=float(input())
ValueError: could not convert string to float:
>>>
This is the complete code until receiving an error message in the IDLE. To me it seems to be the exact same I entered in playground...
Although playground does not have (or display) ">>>". In playground, I only had to press enter key once, in the IDLE i had to use it twice to get the next ">>>".
P.S.: I do not know the different terms yet, sry.
Oh, I see, this works. But how can I write the full code (https://code.sololearn.com/c7D39UG6OhIF) without having to enter a number? I want to be able to enter any number after it is finished. By entering a number while writing the code, it is fix, isn´t it?
