class - Python returning and passing variables -

i’m trying create program to:

1. randomly generate account balance;
2. assess whether balance meets minimum balance requirement of 10;
3. if does, print string stating “no minimum balance fees apply”, or;
4. if not, assess fine of 10 , print net balance after fine.

here code:

from random import randint  class calculate(object):      def __init__(self, account_balance):         self.account_balance = account_balance      def applycharge(self):         account_balance = self.account_balance         if account_balance < 10:             print "minimum balance charges of $10 apply."             account_balance = account_balance - 10             print account_balance             return account_balance        else:             print "no minimum balance charges apply."      def printbalance(self):         account_balance = self.account_balance         print "the net account balance is: %d" % account_balance  initial_balance = randint(-100, 100) print "the account balance before charges is: %d" % initial_balance   getcharge = calculate(initial_balance) getcharge.applycharge() getcharge.account_balance() 

when run it, here example of get:

the account balance before charges is: -74     minimum balance charges of $10 apply.     -84     net account balance is: -74 

so, going ok until last line. (and ok when randomly-generated balance not lower 10, causes fine assessed.)

note - put print statement in displays next-to-last line (-84) check fine point.

the problem comes in when want display “net account balance”. displaying original balance, before fine of 10 assessed.

i assume there problem in how returning balance after fine , passing “printbalance” method. or not passing it, appears case. alternatively, may have using original, global variable when “printbalance” invoked, rather trying do, change value, return , display it.

my whole point in writing little piece of code exercise brain in passing variables around , try flesh out do not understand. mission accomplished.

i’m going stop there, because explanation become tangled spaghetti-bowl of gibberish brain right now, hope gives enough info make clear trying accomplish.

i did @ other similarly-worded questions/answers not seem answer out of them.

finally, i'm sure there kinds of things wrong here - i've been programming (or trying to) 3 weeks.

you return new balance, ignore returned value, nor did set new value on instance.

as such, account_balance value return lost, ignored.

you wanted update attribute, getcharge.printbalance() print updated value:

def applycharge(self):     account_balance = self.account_balance     if account_balance < 10:         print "minimum balance charges of $10 apply."         self.account_balance = account_balance - 10    else:         print "no minimum balance charges apply." 

i removed return line; getcharge instance of calculate class responsible tracking account balance value.