Print a 2d matrix in spiral format from outwards to inwards

print_matrix_spiral.py

#Write a function that takes a matrix and examines each item in a spiral order, printing each item as it comes to it.

#For example, given a matrix like this as input:

#[[11, 12, 13, 14, 15],
#[21, 22, 23, 24, 25],
#[31, 32, 33, 34, 35],
#[41, 42, 43, 44, 45]]
#Your program must print:

#11 12 13 14 15 25 35 45 44 43 42 41 31 21 22 23 24 34 33 32

import copy
mod = __import__(__name__)


def spiral_output(matrix):
    if len(matrix) == 0:
        return
    result = []
    fns = ['left_right', 'top_bottom', 'right_left', 'bottom_top']
    new_matrix = copy.deepcopy(matrix)
    count = 0
    while len(new_matrix) != 0:
        temp = getattr(mod, fns[count % 4])(new_matrix)
        result.extend(temp[0])
        new_matrix = temp[1]
        count += 1
    return " ".join(str(x) for x in result)

# UTILITY FUNCTIONS

def left_right(matrix):
    """
    Takes in a matrix and print top outermost layer from left to right.

    """
    return matrix.pop(0), matrix


def top_bottom(matrix):
    """
    Takes in a matrix and print right outermost layer from top to bottom.

    """
    result = []
    for array in matrix:
        result.append(array.pop(-1))
    return result, matrix


def right_left(matrix):
    """
    Takes in a matrix and print bottom outermost layer from right to left.

    """
    return matrix.pop(-1)[::-1], matrix


def bottom_top(matrix):
    """
    Takes in a matrix and print left outermost layer from bottom to top.

    """
    result = []
    for array in matrix:
        result.append(array.pop(0))
    return result[::-1], matrix