IGCSE String-Handling Programming Scenario: Creating a Username

Scenario

A school’s computer system automatically generates a username for every new student.
You have been asked to write a Python program that creates a username using the student’s personal details.

The program must:

1. Ask the user for the following:
   
   

   • First name
     
     

   • Last name
     
     

   • Year of birth
     
     

   • A list of their favourite subjects (at least 3 subjects)
     
     

2. Use string-handling techniques to create a username with the following rules:
   
   

   • Take the first three letters of the first name.
     
     

   • Take the last three letters of the last name.
     
     

   • Take the last two digits of the year of birth.
     
     

   • Add the first letter of the last subject in the list.
     
     

3. Combine these parts to create a username.
   
   

   • All letters should be lowercase.
     
     

   • Remove any spaces from the subjects list (e.g., "Computer Science" → "ComputerScience" for the first letter).
     
     

4. Display the generated username.
   
   

5. (Extension challenge):
   
   

   • If the first name or last name is shorter than 3 characters, use the whole name instead.
     
     

   • Ensure the username is at least 8 characters long by adding random digits if necessary.
     
     

Example Output

Enter your first name: Amelia

Enter your last name: Thompson

Enter your year of birth: 2008

Enter your 3 favourite subjects:

Subject 1: Art

Subject 2: Mathematics

Subject 3: Computer Science

Generated username: ame son 08 c

(Which becomes: ameson08c)