def not_blank(question):

    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 integer / float >0"""

    if num_type == "integer":
        error = "Oops - please enter an integer more than zero."
        change_to = int
    else:
        error = "Oops - please enter an integer more than zero."
        change_to = float
    while True:
        response = input(question)

        # check for the xit code
        if response == exit_code:
            return response

        try:

            if num_type == "float":
                response = float(response)
            else:
                response = int(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 gey expenses
    while True:
        item_name = not_blank("Item name")

        # checks users enter at least one varibale expense
        if (exp_type == "variable" and
            item_name == "xxx") and len(all_items) == 0:
            print("Oops - youu 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 goes here

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

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