Python: Iterate over unique combinations in a list

Question

I have a list that contains 16 unique numbers:

list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,...,16]

I want to iterate over all possible combinations of 4 of the numbers, eg:

iterate1 = [1, 2, 3, 4]
iterate2 = [1, 2, 3, 5]
iterate3 = [1, 2, 3, 6]
.
.
.

Numbers in the list cannot repeat.

No, as long as all combinations are considered in the end. – Mike Nov 02 '17 at 21:00 — Mike, Nov 02 '17 at 21:00
Should I delete my question since it is a duplicate? – Mike Nov 02 '17 at 23:09 — Mike, Nov 02 '17 at 23:09

SuperStew · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-02T21:10:02.863

0

I think you want itertools

import itertools
list(itertools.permutations([1,2,3...16],4)

EDIT

Or if you actually need the combination function, just use that.

import itertools
list(itertools.combinations([1,2,3...16],4)

edited Nov 02 '17 at 21:10

answered Nov 02 '17 at 21:00

SuperStew

There is a key difference between permutations and combinations. – miradulo Nov 02 '17 at 21:03
From his question, it seems he wants permutations – SuperStew Nov 02 '17 at 21:05
Given that his question title and body use the word _combination_, I disagree. – miradulo Nov 02 '17 at 21:06
Most people use "combinations" as a generic term, rather than it's strict mathematical meaning, though I'm sure Mike could clear it up. – SuperStew Nov 02 '17 at 21:08
Down votes without explanation aren't very helpful. – SuperStew Nov 02 '17 at 21:12
This is an extremely common duplicate to which your answer provides no further value than the answers on the linked duplicate question. – miradulo Nov 02 '17 at 21:13
Let us [continue this discussion in chat](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/rooms/158111/discussion-between-superstew-and-miradulo). – SuperStew Nov 02 '17 at 21:15
I didn't downvote. Still, you have two syntax errors in your examples. – Eric Duminil Nov 02 '17 at 21:25
If you mean "..." yea I figured Mike would know what to do there. Otherwise, those lines worked for me. – SuperStew Nov 02 '17 at 21:28
Thank you @SuperStew. I did indeed meen permutations, thank you for giving both. And I did also understand `...` (-; – Mike Nov 02 '17 at 22:18
*No*, those lines certainly didn't work for you. Notice the `)` missing? – Eric Duminil Nov 03 '17 at 14:39

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 02 '17 at 21:09

0

import itertools
i = 1
print i
for x in itertools.combinations(range(1,16), 4) :
    print "iterate" + str(i) + " = " +  str(x)
    i = i + 1

answered Nov 02 '17 at 21:09

2 Answers2