[python] How to count down in for loop?

In Java, I have the following for loop and I am learning Python:

for (int index = last-1; index >= posn; index--)

My question is simple and probably obvious for most of people who are familiar with Python. I would like to code that 'for' loop in Python. How can I do this?

I tried to do the following:

for index in range(last-1, posn, -1):

I think it should be range(last-1, posn + 1, -1). Am I right?

I am thankful to anyone especially who will explain to me how to understand the indices work in Python.

If you google. "Count down for loop python" you get these, which are pretty accurate.

how to loop down in python list (countdown)
Loop backwards using indices in Python?

I recommend doing minor searches before posting. Also "Learn Python The Hard Way" is a good place to start.

In python, when you have an iterable, usually you iterate without an index:

letters = 'abcdef' # or a list, tupple or other iterable
for l in letters:
    print(l)

If you need to traverse the iterable in reverse order, you would do:

for l in letters[::-1]:
    print(l)

When for any reason you need the index, you can use enumerate:

for i, l in enumerate(letters, start=1): #start is 0 by default
    print(i,l)

You can enumerate in reverse order too...

for i, l in enumerate(letters[::-1])
    print(i,l)

ON ANOTHER NOTE...

Usually when we traverse an iterable we do it to apply the same procedure or function to each element. In these cases, it is better to use map:

If we need to capitilize each letter:

map(str.upper, letters)

Or get the Unicode code of each letter:

map(ord, letters)

First I recommand you can try use print and observe the action:

for i in range(0, 5, 1):
    print i

the result:

0
1
2
3
4

You can understand the function principle. In fact, range scan range is from 0 to 5-1. It equals 0 <= i < 5

When you really understand for-loop in python, I think its time we get back to business. Let's focus your problem.

You want to use a DECREMENT for-loop in python. I suggest a for-loop tutorial for example.

for i in range(5, 0, -1):
    print i

the result:

5
4
3
2
1

Thus it can be seen, it equals 5 >= i > 0

You want to implement your java code in python:

for (int index = last-1; index >= posn; index--)

It should code this:

for i in range(last-1, posn-1, -1)