def not_blank(question):
    """Checks that a user response is not blank"""

    while True:
        response = input(question)

        if response != "":
            return response

        print("Sorry, this can't be blank, Please try again.\n")

def num_check(question, num_type="float", exit_code=None):
    """Checks user enter an integer / float that is more than
        zero (or the optional exit code)"""

    if num_type == "integer":
        error = "Opps - please enter an integer more than zero."
        change_to = int
    else:
        error = "Opps - please enter a number more than zero."
        change_to = float

    while True:
        response = input(question).lower()

        # checks for the exit code
        if response == exit_code:
            return response

        try:
            response = change_to(response)

            if response > 0:
                return response
            else:
                print(error)

        except ValueError:
            print(error)

def get_expenses(exp_type):
    """Gets variable / fixed expenses and outputs
    panda (as a string) and a subtotal of the expenses"""

    #Lists for panda
    all_items = []

    #Expenses dictionary

    # loop to get expenses
    while True:
        item_name = not_blank("Item Name: ")

        #checks users enter at least one variable expense
        if (exp_type == "variable" and
            item_name == "xxx") and len(all_items) == 0:
            print ("Opps - you have not entered anything.  "
                   "You need at least one item. ")
            continue

        elif item_name == "xxx":
            break

        all_items.append(item_name)

    #return all items for now so we can check loop
    return all_items


# Main routine starts here

# print("Getting Variable Costs...")
# variable_expenses = get_expenses("variable")
# num_variable = len(variable_expenses)
# print(f"You entered {num_variable} items")
# print()

print("Getting Fixed Costs...")
fixed_expenses = get_expenses("fixed")
num_fixed = len(fixed_expenses)
print(f"You entered {num_fixed} items")