Python 3.2.1.3 LAB: Essentials of the While Loop - Guess the Secret Number

Essentials of the While Loop - Guess the Secret Number

Guess the secret number

If you're taking PCAP - Programming Essentials In Python , you may have encountered this question in 3.2.1.3 LAB: Essentials of the while loop - Guess the secret number

Scenario

A junior magician has picked a secret number. He has hidden it in a variable named secret_number. He wants everyone who run his program to play the Guess the secret number game, and guess what number he has picked for them. Those who don't guess the number will be stuck in an endless loop forever! Unfortunately, he does not know how to complete the code.

Your task is to help the magician complete the code in the editor in such a way so that the code:
will ask the user to enter an integer number;
will use a while loop;
will check whether the number entered by the user is the same as the number picked by the magician. If the number chosen by the user is different than the magician's secret number, the user should see the message "Ha ha! You're stuck in my loop!" and be prompted to enter a number again. If the number entered by the user matches the number picked by the magician, the number should be printed to the screen, and the magician should say the following words: "Well done, muggle! You are free now."

The magician is counting on you! Don't disappoint him.

Solution Code:

hint: I always highlight the important parts in the scenario that would help you as a future programmer to solve the mystery.

secret_number = 777

print(

"""

+=================================+

| Welcome to my game, muggle!     |

| Enter an integer number         |

| and guess what number I've      |

| picked for you.                 |

| So, what is the secret number ? |

+=================================+

""")

number = int(input("Enter an integer: "))

while number != secret_number: #If Condition equals to False

    print("Ha ha! You're stuck in my loop!¯\_( ͡👁️ ͜ʖ ͡👁️)_/¯") #1st while instruction

    number = int(input("Enter an integer: ")) #2nd while instruction (the loop)

else: # If the condition equals to True

    print(number , " is the secret number (>‿◠)✌\n",  #else instruction

    "Well done, muggle! You are free now. ❤💋")

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Guessing the Secret Number with a while Loop

This lab turns a while loop into a small number-guessing game. A junior magician hides a value in a variable named secret_number set to 777 and asks every player to guess it. The program displays a welcome banner and prompts the user to enter an integer. The loop condition is while number != secret_number, which keeps looping as long as the guess differs from the secret. As long as the condition holds, the user sees the taunting message "Ha ha! You're stuck in my loop!" and is prompted to guess again.

The key to avoiding a genuinely endless loop is that the guess is re-read inside the loop body with another input() call. Because the input statement runs before the condition is tested again, each wrong guess gives the user a fresh chance, and the loop keeps evaluating whether the new value matches 777. As soon as the guess equals the secret number, the condition becomes False and the loop exits. The trailing else clause then prints the matched number plus the freeing message "Well done, muggle! You are free now."

Why the Input Inside the Loop Matters

If the input were read only once before the loop, the condition would never change and the user would truly be trapped forever, matching the magician's warning. Reading number inside the body guarantees that the loop can eventually terminate. This also shows that a while loop needs something within its body that can alter the value being tested; without such a change, the loop and its condition form an infinite cycle. By placing the prompt inside the loop, the program correctly converts each guess with int(input()) and compares it against the secret number on every pass.

Key Takeaways

• The loop continues while number != secret_number, so any value other than 777 keeps it running.
• Reading the guess inside the loop body is essential to avoid an endless loop.
• Each wrong guess prints "Ha ha! You're stuck in my loop!" and prompts for a new number.
• When the guess matches, the condition becomes False and the loop stops.
• The else clause runs after the loop and prints the freeing message.
• This lab reflects a real-life interaction pattern in readable computer code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the loop read input again inside its body?

Because the loop must test a value that can change, so re-reading the guess lets the condition eventually become False and end the loop.

What would happen if input were read only once?

The condition would compare the same value forever, causing an endless loop with no way for the user to escape.

What does the else clause after a while loop do?

It runs once after the loop completes normally, which in this case happens only when the correct guess is made.

How does the program ensure the guess is an integer?

It wraps the input with int(), which converts the typed text into a number so it can be compared with the secret value.