python sample algorithm for wordle penalizing but not removing previous answers

word-selection.py

# see the play function at the bottom

# This is really just an example for reference of the words data structure
words = [
    {value: 'stuff', weight: 100, penalty: 0},
    {value: 'flood', weight: 100, penalty: 0},
    {value: 'royal', weight: 100, penalty: 0},
]



def get_total_weight(words):
    sum([w.weight - w.penalty for w in words])

def get_index_of_weighted_pos(words, weighted_pos):
    remaining_weight = weighted_pos
    i = 0
    for word in words:
        cur_word_weight = word.weight - word.penalty
        # error if cur_word_weight < 0 as weight must be >=0 and penalty must be <= weight
        if cur_word_weight < remaining_weight:
            return i

        remaining_weight -= cur_word_weight
        i += 1

    # error the weighted_pos was past the last word
    # return the index of the last word in this case
    return len(words) - 1

def update_words_for_next_play(words, answer_word_index):
    # decrement the penalty of all words that have a penalty
    for word in words:
        if word.penalty > 0:
            word.penalty -= 1

    # set the penalty for the answer word to it's weight so that it will not
    # be the next play's answer, and will be less likely to be the following
    # play's answer until its penalty is reduced to 0.
    words[answer_word_index].penalty = words[answer_word_index].weight

def play(words):
    weight_of_words = get_total_weight(words)

    random.seed()
    weighted_pos = random.randrange(weight_of_words)
    answer_word_index = get_index_of_weighted_pos(words, weighted_pos)

    update_words_for_next_play(words, answer_word_index)

    # play the game with the selected answer
    # since this is daily, I assume that means setting the answer in the database
    # for today's game, and updating the date of this last play so it won't kick off
    # the next play until tomorrow.