gistfile1.txt

def process_list_2(list_of_items):
    s = set()
    rv = []
    for item in list_of_items:
        if item not in s:
            rv.append(item)

    return s

gistfile2.txt

def fun(sorted_list, needle):
    def fun_internal(low, high):
        if not sorted_list:
            return None
        if low >= high:
            return None

        pivot_pos = (low + high) / 2

        if pivot_pos >= len(sorted_list):
            return None
        elif pivot_pos < 0:
            return None

        pivot = sorted_list[pivot_pos]
        if needle == pivot:
            return pivot
        elif needle < pivot:
            return fun_internal(low, pivot_pos - 1)
        else:
            return fun_internal(pivot_pos + 1, high)

    return fun_internal(0, len(sorted_list) - 1)