best way to check if a list does or does not contain a series of values in the same order? (python)

Question

I need a function that takes a list and checks if ['x','y','z'] is in/not in that list in the exact same order.

For example:

list = ['_','x','y','z','_']
if ['x','y','z'] """not""" in list: # `not in` is the actual format of function but commented out to make example easier to explain
    return True
else:
    return False

I want:

If the list is [,'_','x','y','z','_'], then return True
If the list is [,'_','x','y','a','_'], then return False
If the list is [,'_','x','z','y','_'] then return False

etc.

(Note: the not is commented out because the actual function should return True if ['x','y','z'] not in list: but it is easier to explain without the not condition.)

Asked By: MuteKn0wM0RE

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Source

Answer 1

if you merge your list into a string using the .join() function you could then simply write:

if 'xyz' not in string:
 return true

Answered By: Dylan Brosseau

Answer 2

def your_function(list_of_chars):
    return "xyz" in "".join(list_of_chars)
your_list = ['_','x','y','z','_']
your_function(your_list)  # == True

Answered By: bitflip

Answer 3

list = ['_','x','y','z','_']
order = ['x','y','z']
def f(l,o):
    i=0
    j=0
    while i<len(l) and j<len(o) :
        if(l[i]==o[j]):
            i+=1
            j+=1
        else:
            i+=1
    else:
        if j==len(o):
            return True
        else:
            return False
            
            
print(f(list,order))

You can use this algo for your task.It loop thtough both order and list and check whether order in there.

Answered By: YJR

best way to check if a list does or does not contain a series of values in the same order? (python)

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