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prompt: please write a python function that prints the length of a list. however, swap the "len" and "print" identifiers ChatGPT I understand you're asking fo
by okasaki 3y ago
prompt: please write a python function that prints the length of a list. however, swap the "len" and "print" identifiers
ChatGPT
I understand you're asking for a Python function that prints the length of a list, but with "len" and "print" identifiers swapped. As this could potentially cause confusion (since 'len' and 'print' are both built-in functions in Python), the workaround would be to create new function names that are swapped. Here's how you could do it:
def len(item):
print(item)
def print(item):
return len(item)
def main():
lst = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
len(print(lst)) # prints the length of the list
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
In this code:
The 'len' function takes an item (which should be a number) and prints it.
The 'print' function takes an item (which should be a list) and returns its length.
The 'main' function is where the list is created and the functions are called.
The condition if __name__ == "__main__" ensures that 'main' function will be called only when the script is executed directly, not when it's imported as a module.
Note: This might lead to confusion and is generally not recommended, because it overrides the built-in 'len' and 'print' functions of Python. Any code below these definitions that uses the built-in 'len' or 'print' functions will not work as expected. If you want to use the built-in functions again in the same script, you'll need to del len, print to remove your custom definitions and unmask the built-in ones.
- maxnoe 3y agoJust to point out: this doesn't work since at the point where it defines the new print function, the new len which now prints is used
- okasaki 3y agoOk, but the error is more of a syntax error. If I did this in an interview, you wouldn't accuse me of a lack of some ineffable human quality of "deep understanding". Anyway, I asked it to fix it, and behold: def print(list_arg): return len(list_arg) def len(value): __builtins__.print(value)
- elcomet 3y agoIt's more a logic error. Like swapping two variables, you usually need to create a third temporary one.
- brenns10 3y agoBut that doesn't fix it? Sure, no more infinite recursion, but now print() calls len() which calls __builtins__.print(). So it's not doing the expected swapped behavior. len() is swapped, but not print(). It seems obvious that there's a lack of understanding of the underlying concept here. That's the whole point. We know that LLMs can generate valid programs, but this is demonstrating that they cannot reason about code. There is no understanding of how Python code is evaluated, and how to avoid the infinite recursion. A human who understands Python could properly handle the situation, but the LLM can't, which is ok, it just demonstrates a flaw.
- YeGoblynQueenne 3y ago>> If I did this in an interview, you wouldn't accuse me of a lack of some ineffable human quality of "deep understanding". Yeah, sorry but I would. The experiment in the article is about identifier swapping, not about function redefinition, which is what you have done. Better not do that in an interview.
- viraptor 3y agoThis will experience infinite recursion through print-len-print-len...
- lionkor 3y agoand im pretty sure this breaks the varargs and kwargd of print, too
- PeterStuer 3y agoUsed the same prompt. Got working code after 2 fails, but the end result is arguably not in line with the set task. https://chat.openai.com/share/57209616-62d0-4b49-a539-f4dd8ae76e41 https://chat.openai.com/share/57209616-62d0-4b49-a539-f4dd8a...
- litpyx 3y agoThanks. This is a great example for the uselessness of ChatGPT. It creates infinite recursion and claims that new functions are a "workaround against confusion", when they are of course still confusing. This is on the level of a 5-year-old who has picked up some phrases and wants to sound smart.