To create a list of n placeholder elements, multiply the list of a single placeholder element with n. For example, use [None] * 5 to create a list [None, None, None, None, None] with five elements None. You can then overwrite some elements with index assignments. In the example, lst[2] = 42 would result in the changed list [None, None, 42, None, None].

Let’s play with an interactive code shell before you’ll dive into the detailed solution!

Exercise: Initialize the list with n=20 placeholder elements -1 and run the code.

Next, you’ll learn about the more formal problem and dive into the step-by-step solution.

Problem: Given an integer n. How to initialize a list with n placeholder elements?

# n=0 --> []

# n=1 --> [None]

# n=5 --> [None, None, None, None, None]

Solution: Use the list concatenation operation *.

n = 5

lst = [None] * n

print(lst)

# [None, None, None, None, None]

You can modify the element n as you like. In subsequent operations, you can overwrite all placeholder None list elements using simple index assignment operations:

lst[0] = 'Alice'

lst[1] = 0

lst[2] = 42

lst[3] = 12

lst[4] = 'hello'

print(lst)

# ['Alice', 0, 42, 12, 'hello']

However, there’s a small problem if you want to create a list with mutable objects (such as a list of lists):

lst = [[]] * n

print(lst)

# [[], [], [], [], []] lst[2].append(42) print(lst)

# [[42], [42], [42], [42], [42]]

Changing one list element changes all list elements because all list elements refer to the same list object in memory:

The solution is to use list comprehension (see my detailed blog tutorial on list comprehension for a complete guide):

lst = [[] for _ in range(n)]

print(lst)

# [[], [], [], [], []] lst[2].append(42)

print(lst)

# [[], [], [42], [], []]

In the following visualization, you can see how each element now refers to an independent list object in memory:

Exercise: Run the visualization and convince yourself that only one element is modified! Why is this the case?

Where to Go From Here?

Enough theory, let’s get some practice!

To become successful in coding, you need to get out there and solve real problems for real people. That’s how you can become a six-figure earner easily. And that’s how you polish the skills you really need in practice. After all, what’s the use of learning theory that nobody ever needs?

Practice projects is how you sharpen your saw in coding!

Do you want to become a code master by focusing on practical code projects that actually earn you money and solve problems for people?

Then become a Python freelance developer! It’s the best way of approaching the task of improving your Python skills—even if you are a complete beginner.

Join my free webinar “How to Build Your High-Income Skill Python” and watch how I grew my coding business online and how you can, too—from the comfort of your own home.

Join the free webinar now!

An alleged looter gets looted himself, an iPhone photo is part of a public corruption probe, and more on the Apple crime blotter.

iPhone and iCloud evidence used against a soldier accused of plotting murder with Satanic neo-Nazi cult

Facebook video showed officer stomping on protestor’s iPhone

State trooper accused of texting nude photos from woman’s phone

Man charged with identity theft made Apple Store purchases

iPhone photo of wads of cash surfaces in Los Angeles politician’s indictment

Caught on film: man carrying iMac during looting has it taken by thieves

Find My iPhone pings stolen AirPods in evidence bag

Find My iPhone locates stolen car and U-Haul

George Nader, Mueller witness whose iPhone was seized, gets 10 years

South African entertainer offers reward for lost iPhone charger

Woman’s text from Apple Watch stopped attempted rape

Duo arrested for stealing iPhone, axe from disabled vehicle

Couple in Australia sought in iPhone fraud

Earlier this week, a company called HUP Games published Final Sword on the Switch eShop. If you’ve never heard of this game before, it’s described as the “original action RPG” for Nintendo Switch and allows players to enjoy “powerful battles” in an open-world setting for $17.70.

In reality, it’s a mobile port and the title uses generic game engine assets. To top it off, it also features music from the Nintendo series, The Legend of Zelda. GoNintendo notes how the “stolen music” playing in the background “straight-up rips off” Zelda’s Lullaby. Have a listen below:

Sound familiar? If you’ve played some of the earlier Zelda games it should. We’re not sure how this one slipped by Nintendo, but if we were to take a guess, it’s probably because stacks of games are getting approved for the Switch eShop on a weekly basis.

Now that the word is out, Final Sword is expected to disappear from Nintendo’s digital store in the coming days. If we get any updates, we’ll be sure to let you know.

© Nintendo Life

On Friday, Nintendo rolled out Version 1.3.0 of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It added swimming, diving, wet suits, and also fixed various bugs. Unfortunately, it’s also added a new glitch. A number of players are no longer able to cross over the zen bridges on their island.

This broken bridge glitch seems to only be affecting some players at the moment – although there are a lot of videos on social media that demonstrate what exactly is happening. The player walks to the middle of the bridge and is seemingly blocked by an invisible wall. Take a look below:

Fortunately, there are a few ways to deal with this – but they’re not exactly convenient. If you swap to the game’s camera mode you should then be able to pass through the invisible barrier. Otherwise, you can visit Tom Nook in Resident Services and get the bridge demolished.

Animal Crossing players have reported the same issues over on the official Nintendo support forums. A lot of users also note how their zen bridge is located on the third level of their island – so it could be something to do with the game’s boundaries.

I have a diagonal facing bridge on my 3rd level cliff and after the July 2nd update for the diving set, I cannot cross it anymore? I tried crossing from the other side but it stops my character from crossing the bridge. What do I do?

With any luck, Nintendo is already working on a patch for this. Have you encountered this glitch yourself? Tell us down below.

This year’s online iteration of in-person fighting game tournament EVO 2020 has been canceled after a number of sexual harassment claims were made against organization co-founder Joey ‘Mr Wizard’ Cuellar, who has since been removed from his role as CEO.

Stories shared online accuse Cuellar, who has been involved with the annual esports series since its inception in 1996, of engaging in sexual misconduct. One person claimed that Cuellar, referred to in their account by his pseudonym ‘Wizard,’ would often bribe “young boys” to take their clothes off and jump in pools.

“He would pay people hundreds of tokens to do things like take off their clothes and jump in the water hazard pools for certain amounts of times. 99 percent of the time, it was young boys,” reads the allegation, posted on Twitter.

Cellular is also alleged to have paid one person, who was 17 years old at the time, $20 to reveal themselves to him in a bathroom in order to settle a bet.

As the allegations began to circulate on social media, a number of high-profile developers and players including NetherRealm, Bandai Namco, Capcom, and five-time Evo champion Dominique ‘SonicFox’ McLean pulled out of the tournament in order to “stand in solidarity with those who have spoken out against abuse.”

Evo responded to the allegations on July 2, explaining that Cuellar had been placed on “administrative leave pending a third party investigation.” Now, just two days later, Cuellar has been removed as CEO and will “no longer be involved with EVO in any capacity.”

“Over the past 24 hours, in response to serious allegations recently made public on Twitter, we have made the first of a series of important decisions regarding the future of our company. Effective immediately, Joey Cuellar will no longer be involved with Evo in any capacity. We are currently working towards his complete separation from the company and have relieved him of all his responsibilities,” reads the latest Evo statement.

“Going forward, Tony Cannon will act as CEO; in this position, he will take a leadership role in prioritizing greater accountability across Evo, both internally and at our events. Progress doesn’t happen overnight, or without the bravery of those who speak up against misconduct and injustice. We are shocked and saddened by these events, but we are listening and committed to making every change that will be necessary in making Evo a better model for the strong, safer culture we all see.

“As a result, we will be canceling Evo Online and will work to issue refunds for all players who chose to purchase a badge. We will donate the equivalent of the proceeds as promised to Project HOPE.”

As for Cuellar, he appears to have acknowledged the allegations in a short tweet. “I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt anyone,” he wrote. “I was young and reckless and did things I’m not proud of. I have been growing and maturing over the past 20 years, but that doesn’t excuse anything. All I have been trying to do is become a better person. Once again, I’m truly sorry.”

These allegations are the latest in a growing number against those in positions of power within the games industry. Dying Light 2 writer Chris Avellone was recently accused of sexual harassment and assault, while a huge number of people have lambasted Assassin’s Creed publisher Ubisoft for enabling a toxic culture that protects and emboldens abusers — many of whom held high-level positions at the company.