Python Random sample() Method with Examples

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Random sample() Method in Python:

The sample() method returns a list containing a randomly selected number of items from a sequence.

Note: Please keep in mind that this method does not alter(change) the original sequence.

Syntax:

random.sample(sequence, size)

Parameters

sequence: This is Required. It could be any sequence like a list, a tuple, a range of numbers, and so on.

size: This is Required. The number of items in the returned list.

Examples:

Example1:

Input:

Given list = [4, 7, 9, 0, 1]
Given size = 3

Output:

The 3 random items from a given list =  [1, 9, 7]

Example2:

Input:

Given list = ["hello", "this", "is", "btechgeeks"]
Given size = 2

Output:

The 2 random items from a given list =  ['is', 'btechgeeks']

Random sample() Method with Examples in Python

Method #1: Using Built-in Functions (Static Input)

Approach:

  • Import random module using the import keyword.
  • Give the list as static input and store it in a variable.
  • Give the size of the list to be returned as static input and store it in another variable.
  • Pass the given list, size as the arguments to the random.sample() method to get the given number(size) of random items from a given list
  • Store it in another variable.
  • Print the given number of random items from a given list
  • The Exit of the Program.

Below is the implementation:

# Import random module using the import keyword.
import random
# Give the list as static input and store it in a variable.
gvn_lst = [4, 7, 9, 0, 1]
# Give the size of the list to be returned as static input and store it in
# another variable.
gvn_size = 3
# Pass the given list, size as the arguments to the random.sample() method to
# get the given number(size) of random items from a given list
# Store it in another variable.
rslt = random.sample(gvn_lst, gvn_size)
# Print the given number of random items from a given list
print("The", gvn_size, "random items from a given list = ", rslt)

Output:

The 3 random items from a given list =  [1, 9, 7]

Note: Similarly, you can also try for strings, to get the given number of random characters from a given string.

Method #2: Using Built-in Functions (User Input)

Approach:

  • Import random module using the import keyword.
  • Give the list as user input using list(),map(),input(),and split() functions.
  • Store it in a variable.
  • Give the size of the list to be returned as user input using the int(input()) function and store it in another variable.
  • Pass the given list, size as the arguments to the random.sample() method to get the given number(size) of random items from a given list
  • Store it in another variable.
  • Print the given number of random items from a given list
  • The Exit of the Program.

Below is the implementation:

# Import random module using the import keyword.
import random
# Give the list as user input using list(),map(),input(),and split() functions.
# Store it in a variable.
gvn_lst = list(map(int, input(
   'Enter some random List Elements separated by spaces = ').split()))

# Give the size of the list to be returned as user input using the int(input())
# function and store it in another variable.
gvn_size = int(input("Enter some random number = "))
# Pass the given list, size as the arguments to the random.sample() method to
# get the given number(size) of random items from a given list
# Store it in another variable.
rslt = random.sample(gvn_lst, gvn_size)
# Print the given number of random items from a given list
print("The", gvn_size, "random items from a given list = ", rslt)

Output:

Enter some random List Elements separated by spaces = 23 10 20 30 40 50
Enter some random number = 2
The 2 random items from a given list = [50, 20]