NO_CANDS = 5    #default number of candidates when not specified

class candidates:
    num_cands = None
    candidates = None
    
    def __init__(self, candidates = None, num_cands = None):
        """
        Initializes a new set of candidates
        """
        if num_cands == None and candidates == None:
            self.num_cands = NO_CANDS
        else:
            if candidates != None:
                self.candidates = candidates
                self.num_cands = len(self.candidates)
            if  num_cands != None:
                self.num_cands = num_cands
        if candidates == None:
            self.candidates = []
            for i in range(0, self.num_cands):
                c = "C%i" % i
                self.candidates.append(c)

    def __str__(self):
        return "%i candidates: %s" % (self.num_cands, str(self.candidates))