def find_max(list):
    max = list[0] # first entry
    for cur in list[1:]: # from 2nd entry on
        if max < cur:
            max = cur
    return max

def main():
    data = [ 1, 3, -5, 7, 0, -2 ]
    print "max is: ", find_max(data)

#for i in range(1,len(data)-1):
#    cur = data[i]
#    for j in range(i-1,0):

main()