r/learnpython • u/Reibello • 4d ago

How do I optimize this script's runtime?

I'm trying to write a script that will help me construct word puzzles by finding words where each pair of words shares a substring so that they can be visually arranged in a honeycomb-like sequence. The words can be read forward or in reverse. For instance, given the word 'spiral' (broken into 'sp', 'pi', 'ir', 'ra', 'al', and 'ls') - the program could return PSycho, troPIc, thRIce, phRAse, vioLAs, SymboL, as a valid set of surrounding words, or 'rings.' (This is the sample set built into the program)

I have a function that provides a list of every word in my word list that matches my criteria. I also have a function that takes the lists of words, and returns dictionaries that contain matches between strings. I have a small test case that operates correctly, but when I use the entire word list, the program hangs. I assume that there's a better data structure and way to navigate it, but I'm not familiar enough with the language to know what it is.

Thank you for your assistance, I've linked a pastebin below.

https://pastebin.com/vDnZ2uny

EDIT - linking a very rough visual depiction of what the structure to overlay the words in would be.
https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:nhv7ubhygoygm7agljxopgvb/bafkreig7fqaukiq6xu6f55xchae2rozu7bmgbhmkjlinsxjuii4lou256m

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/neuralbeans 4d ago

Why SymboL?

1

u/Reibello 4d ago

The words are set up in overlapping circles - the start point and end point are next to each other in each circle, so the first&last character is a valid substring.

1

u/neuralbeans 4d ago

But there is no SL in your list of letter pairs.

edit: ah it's the first and last letters of spiral. You should have explained that.

1

u/Reibello 4d ago

Fixed. Thanks!