3.05 Boolean Expressions Homework: SFI Backend Validator

Build a reusable validator for candidate SFI automotive records.

A valid record has

• a non-empty product name
• an accepted racing category (Auto Racing or Drag Racing)
• a non-empty spec number
• an effective date
• a spec number that does not already exist in the backend

Requirements

• Use test data with existing_spec_numbers = ["1.1", "2.1"] and valid_categories = ["Auto Racing", "Drag Racing"]
• Test all three provided records (one valid, one bad category, one duplicate spec)
• Clearly print whether each record is accepted or rejected
• Explain the Boolean logic (and, not, relational operators)
• Keep the code self-contained so it runs without earlier lesson cells

Grading

Homework Validator: 0.40 of the 1.0 total (Popcorn Hacks 0.45 and MCQ 0.15 are graded separately).

Code Runner Challenge

Homework Hack - SFI Backend Validator

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%%python

# CODE_RUNNER: Homework Hack - SFI Backend Validator

existing_spec_numbers = ["1.1", "2.1"]
valid_categories = ["Auto Racing", "Drag Racing"]

test_records = [
    {
        "product_name": "Multiple Disc Clutch Assemblies",
        "category": "Auto Racing",
        "spec_number": "1.2",
        "effective_date": "Feb. 9, 2006"
    },
    {
        "product_name": "Replacement Flywheels",
        "category": "Street Car",
        "spec_number": "3.1",
        "effective_date": "Jan. 1, 2026"
    },
    {
        "product_name": "Existing Flywheel Record",
        "category": "Drag Racing",
        "spec_number": "1.1",
        "effective_date": "Jan. 1, 2026"
    }
]

def validate_record(record):
    # Each rule becomes a small named Boolean so the final rule is easy to read.
    # != compares values and returns True/False (not assignment like =).
    has_product_name = record["product_name"].strip() != ""
    has_spec_number = record["spec_number"].strip() != ""
    has_effective_date = record["effective_date"].strip() != ""

    # 'in' checks list membership and gives a Boolean
    valid_category = record["category"] in valid_categories

    # 'not' reverses a Boolean: a record is only new if its spec is NOT already stored
    duplicate_spec = record["spec_number"] in existing_spec_numbers

    # 'and' means EVERY requirement must be True for the record to be accepted
    return (
        has_product_name
        and valid_category
        and has_spec_number
        and has_effective_date
        and not duplicate_spec
    )

for record in test_records:
    accepted = validate_record(record)
    print(record["product_name"], "(spec", record["spec_number"] + "):",
          "ACCEPTED" if accepted else "REJECTED")

    if not accepted:
        # Explain which rule failed so the Boolean logic is visible
        if record["category"] not in valid_categories:
            print("  Reason: category is not an accepted racing category")
        if record["spec_number"] in existing_spec_numbers:
            print("  Reason: spec number already exists (duplicate)")

# Expected: record 1 ACCEPTED, record 2 REJECTED (bad category), record 3 REJECTED (duplicate)

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Output

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