Trickkiste: Random Useful Utilities

Common errors

• ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'trickkiste.string'

  cause Attempting to import a submodule directly as if it were a top-level package, or a typo in the import path.
  fix Ensure correct import syntax like `from trickkiste.string import get_random_string`.

• AttributeError: module 'trickkiste' has no attribute 'get_random_string'

  cause Trying to access a function directly from the top-level `trickkiste` package instead of its specific submodule.
  fix Import the function from its submodule: `from trickkiste.string import get_random_string`.

• pip._internal.exceptions.UnsupportedPythonVersion: Package 'trickkiste' requires a Python version less than 4, >=3.10.4 but you have Python X.Y.Z.

  cause The Python environment's version does not meet the strict requirements of `trickkiste`.
  fix Use a Python version between 3.10.4 and 3.99.x (exclusive of 4.0). Consider using `pyenv` or `conda` to manage Python versions and virtual environments.

• RuntimeError: Working outside of request context.

  cause Calling `trickkiste.web.get_request_data()` outside of an active Flask HTTP request context.
  fix Ensure `get_request_data` is only called when a Flask application is running and processing an HTTP request.

Warnings

• breaking The library has a strict Python version requirement, explicitly forbidding Python 4.0+ and requiring Python >= 3.10.4.
  Fix: Ensure your Python environment is between 3.10.4 and 3.99.x. Upgrade Python if below 3.10.4, or use a virtual environment with a compatible version.
• gotcha Functions are organized into submodules (e.g., `string`, `list`, `web`). You must import directly from the submodule, not the top-level `trickkiste` package.
  Fix: Instead of `import trickkiste` then `trickkiste.string.get_random_string()`, use `from trickkiste.string import get_random_string`.
• gotcha The `web.get_request_data` function is specifically designed to work within a Flask application's request context. Calling it outside this context will result in a runtime error.
  Fix: Only use `web.get_request_data` inside a Flask route or a function called from a Flask request context. For general HTTP request data outside Flask, consider using `requests` directly.
• gotcha The `web` module functions (e.g., `get_html_soup`, `get_request_data`) have external dependencies (`beautifulsoup4`, `requests`, `flask`) that are installed with `trickkiste`. Be aware of these if you only intend to use other utility functions.
  Fix: No direct fix needed as dependencies are handled by `pip`, but be mindful of the installed packages if you have strict dependency management or wish to minimize installed libraries.

Install

• pip install trickkiste Install latest version

Imports

• get_random_string
  wrong:

  import trickkiste.string.get_random_string

  correct:

  from trickkiste.string import get_random_string

  Functions are exposed directly from their respective submodules.
• get_random_item
  wrong:

  import trickkiste.list

  correct:

  from trickkiste.list import get_random_item

  Import specific functions, not just the submodule.
• get_os_info
  wrong:

  from trickkiste import system

  correct:

  from trickkiste.system import get_os_info

  Access functions directly from the submodule, or import the submodule then access via `system.get_os_info`.

Quickstart

Demonstrates importing and using two common utility functions: `get_random_string` for generating random strings and `get_random_item` for selecting a random element from a list.

from trickkiste.string import get_random_string
from trickkiste.list import get_random_item

# Generate a random string of a specified length
random_str = get_random_string(length=10, alphabet='ascii_lowercase')
print(f"Random String: {random_str}")

# Get a random item from a list
my_list = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'date']
random_item = get_random_item(my_list)
print(f"Random Item from list: {random_item}")