Calculate most common string in a wxListBox

Question

I have a wxListBox that is filled with strings (Customer Names) that the user inputs. I have to calculate the most occurring name and least occurring name in the list. I have to use a loop.

Below is actual code mixed with pseudo code, but I am having trouble with the logic:

cust_name = ""
for names in range(self.txtListBox.GetCount()):
    for compareName in counterList:
        if:
            names == compareName: 
            count += 1
        else:
            add names to counterList
            set count to 1 

What is the best way to do this with a loop in Python?

Answer 1

Use collections.Counter to count the names

from collections import Counter

names = ["foo","foo","foobar","foo","foobar","bar"]

c =  Counter(names).most_common() # returns a list of tuples from most common to least

most_com, least_com = c[0][0],c[-1][0] # get first which is most common and last which is least
print most_com,least_com
foo bar

Using a loop, just call Counter.update

c =  Counter()

for name in names:
    c.update(name)

c = c.most_common()
most_com, least_com = c[0][0],c[-1][0]

If you cannot import a module use a normal dict:

d = {}
for name in names:
    d.setdefault(name,0)
    d[name] += 1
print d
{'foobar': 2, 'foo': 3, 'bar': 1}
srt = sorted(d.items(),key=lambda x:x[1],reverse=True)
most_com,least_com = srt[0][0],srt[-1][0]