randspace.py

#!/usr/bin/python

import random
import string

UNAMBIGUOUS_LETTERS = list(set(string.ascii_lowercase) - set('ilou'))

def randid_worker(params):
    """PARAMS is a collection of (SET, COUNT) pairs.  The function returns
    a collection of COUNT_0 + COUNT_1 + ... COUNT_n items, drawn from the
    respective SETs."""
    result = []
    for (s, c) in params:
        result.extend([ random.choice(s) for i in xrange(c) ])
    random.shuffle(result)
    return result

def randid():
    """Creates a random ID space with three modified
    base32 characters and one number in random order for
    example vnt5, z2aa, tb9h or 2qxd"""
    return ''.join(randid_worker([(UNAMBIGUOUS_LETTERS, 3), (string.digits, 1)]))

if __name__ == '__main__':
    # Prints ten examples of the same
    for n in xrange(10):
        print randid()