Prints n iterations of a certain pattern...guess it!

puzzle.py

#!/usr/bin/env python
import sys


def pattern(n):
    """Prints n iterations of a certain pattern...guess it!"""
    old = [1]
    print("1")
    for i in range(n - 1):
        new = []
        for j in set(old):
            new.append([old.count(j), j])
        temp = '' # immutable object
        for j in sorted(new, key=lambda i: i[1]):
            temp += ''.join([str(x) for x in j])
        old = []
        for j in temp:
            old.append(int(j))
        if i > 14: # too slow... ;)
            print("You suck! Look back at the previous ones.")
            break
        print(''.join([str(k) for k in old]))


def main():
    try:
        k = int(sys.argv[1])
        if k < 1:
            print("You must request at least 1 pattern!")
            return
        pattern(int(sys.argv[1]))
    except IndexError:
        print(' '.join(["usage: python", sys.argv[0], "[n patterns]"]))


if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()