Random Name Picker

README.md

Random Name Picker

At the AWS Canberra User Group meeting on 23 July 2025, our panel discussed Responsible AI.

After the panel I used vibe code mode in Kiro to create a script for picking random attendees to win AWS vouchers. I wanted to show off Kiro in a fun way.

The prompt I used was deliberately short. Here it is:

Create a Python script to pick people at random from a CSV file. The names are contained in the first column of the file. Draw one name, then prompt if another name is needed. Ensure a name can only be drawn once. Do not use external libraries.

The code worked and drew our 5 winners.

random_name_picker.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""
Random Name Picker from CSV
Picks names randomly from the first column of a CSV file.
Each name can only be drawn once.
"""

import csv
import random
import sys
import os


def load_names_from_csv(filename):
    """Load names from the first column of a CSV file."""
    names = []
    try:
        with open(filename, 'r', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as csvfile:
            reader = csv.reader(csvfile)
            for row in reader:
                if row and row[0].strip():  # Skip empty rows and empty first columns
                    names.append(row[0].strip())
        return names
    except FileNotFoundError:
        print(f"Error: File '{filename}' not found.")
        return None
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"Error reading file: {e}")
        return None


def main():
    # Get CSV filename from user
    if len(sys.argv) > 1:
        filename = sys.argv[1]
    else:
        filename = input("Enter the CSV filename: ").strip()
    
    if not filename:
        print("No filename provided.")
        return
    
    # Load names from CSV
    names = load_names_from_csv(filename)
    if names is None:
        return
    
    if not names:
        print("No names found in the CSV file.")
        return
    
    print(f"Loaded {len(names)} names from '{filename}'")
    print("-" * 40)
    
    # Create a copy of names list for drawing
    available_names = names.copy()
    drawn_count = 0
    
    while available_names:
        # Draw a random name
        chosen_name = random.choice(available_names)
        available_names.remove(chosen_name)
        drawn_count += 1
        
        print(f"Name #{drawn_count}: {chosen_name}")
        print(f"Remaining names: {len(available_names)}")
        
        if not available_names:
            print("\nAll names have been drawn!")
            break
        
        # Ask if user wants another name
        while True:
            response = input("\nDraw another name? (y/n): ").strip().lower()
            if response in ['y', 'yes']:
                break
            elif response in ['n', 'no']:
                print("Thanks for using the random name picker!")
                return
            else:
                print("Please enter 'y' for yes or 'n' for no.")


if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()