gistfile1.py

def rec_permutations(prefix, remaining):
   if len(remaining) == 1:
      yield prefix + remaining
   else:
      for e in remaining:
         new_remaining = remaining[:] # copy
         new_remaining.remove(e)
         for p in rec_permutations(prefix + [e], new_remaining):
            yield p
            

# sort list before calling
def permutations(dataList):
   sortedList = sorted(dataList)
   for p in rec_permutations([], sortedList):
      yield p


someList = [1, 5, 2, 8, -2]


for p in permutations(someList):
   if p[2] == 8: # some condition
      result = p
      break

print result