Beginner python - stuck in a loop

Question

I have two begininer programs, both using the 'while' function, one works correctly, and the other gets me stuck in a loop. The first program is this;

num=54
bob = True
print('The guess a number Game!')


while bob == True:
    guess = int(input('What is your guess?  '))

    if guess==num:
        print('wow! You\'re awesome!')
        print('but don\'t worry, you still suck')
        bob = False
    elif guess>num:
        print('try a lower number')
    else:
        print('close, but too low')

print('game over')``

and it gives the predictable output of;

The guess a number Game!
What is your guess?  12
close, but too low
What is your guess?  56
try a lower number
What is your guess?  54
wow! You're awesome!
but don't worry, you still suck
game over

However, I also have this program, which doesn't work;

#define vars
a = int(input('Please insert a number: '))
b = int(input('Please insert a second number: '))

#try a function
def func_tim(a,b):
    bob = True
    while bob == True:
        if a == b:
            print('nice and equal')
            bob = False
        elif b > a:
             print('b is picking on a!')
        else:
            print('a is picking on b!')
#call a function
func_tim(a,b)

Which outputs;

Please insert a number: 12
Please insert a second number: 14
b is picking on a!
b is picking on a!
b is picking on a!
...(repeat in a loop)....

Can someone please let me know why these programs are different? Thank you!

Answer 1

In the second example, the user doesn't get a chance to enter a new guess inside the loop, so a and b remain the same.

Answer 2

In the second program you never give the user a chance to pick two new numbers if they're not equal. Put the lines where you get input from the user inside the loop, like this:

#try a function
def func_tim():
    bob = True
    while bob == True:
        #define vars
        a = int(input('Please insert a number: '))
        b = int(input('Please insert a second number: '))

        if a == b:
            print('nice and equal')
            bob = False
        elif b > a:
             print('b is picking on a!')
        else:
            print('a is picking on b!')
#call a function
func_tim()

Answer 3

in your 2nd program, if b > a, you will go back to the loop because bob is still true. You forgot to ask the user to input again.. try it this way

  def func_tim():
    while 1:
       a = int(input('Please insert a number: '))
       b = int(input('Please insert a second number: '))
       if a == b:
           print('nice and equal')
           break
       elif b > a:
           print('b is picking on a!')
       else:
           print('a is picking on b!')


func_tim()

Answer 4

Your second program doesn't allow the user to reenter his guess if it's not correct. Put the input into the while loop.

Additional hint: Don't make checks like variable == True, just say while variable:.