python create interchangeable strings

Question

lets say I have 2 strings that are interchangeable, like a full word and it's abbreviation: 'max' and 'maximum'

I would like to set it so that they respond the same, for example if i have the following dictionary:

d = {'max':10,'a':5,'b':9}

d['maximum'] will return 10

is this even remotely possible?

note:

these two strings could be 'dog' and 'cat', they do not have to be related.

what I am asking is if I could do something like:

a = 'a' or 'b'

that way the two strings are interchangeable. I do understand that above is not correct syntax, I am just curious if anything like it is possible

I am not asking specifically as a dictionary. I am asking if it is possible to have any time one string is referenced in my code to have it work as if either string is referenced...a dictionary was a good example and that is why I used it — Ryan Saxe
– Ryan Saxe, Commented Aug 15, 2013 at 6:50
I think you need to qualify this a little better ... interchangable in what sense? If you want them to be interchangeable in a dictionary, the answer is no. "max" and "maximum" aren't the same string. You could subclass dict and make sure to only use one or the other ... but that only catches the dictionary case (and it doesn't work with literals).... — mgilson
– mgilson, Commented Aug 15, 2013 at 6:54
@mgilson: exactly my question though, I am asking if I could have a variable act as multiple strings, where it would go down the line somewhat like nested try and excepts — Ryan Saxe
– Ryan Saxe, Commented Aug 15, 2013 at 6:58
Dict if the best way to do this({'a':'b', 'dog':'cat'}), if you want two way mapping use bidict. — Ashwini Chaudhary
– Ashwini Chaudhary, Commented Aug 15, 2013 at 6:59

Ashwini Chaudhary · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-15 06:53:03Z

5

You can do that using two dicts:

>>> key_dic = {'maximum':'max', 'minimum':'min'}
>>> d = {'max':10,'a':5,'b':9, 'min':-1}
def get_value(key):
    return d[key_dic.get(key, key)]
... 
>>> get_value('maximum')
10
>>> get_value('max')
10
>>> get_value('min')
-1
>>> get_value('minimum')
-1

answered Aug 15, 2013 at 6:53

Ashwini Chaudhary

252k60 gold badges478 silver badges519 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

Ryan Saxe Over a year ago

please read my edited question...the dictionary was simply an example...the real question is if I can somehow assign a variable to respond to more than one string

Ashwini Chaudhary Over a year ago

@RyanSaxe For variables the short answer is NO, you can't make a variable point to two different objects at a time.

Jimmy · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-15 06:52:16Z

0

You'll need to convert it into a function, class or something similar.

d_array = {'max':10,'a':5,'b':9}

def d(keyword):
    if keyword == "maximum":
        keyword = "max"
    return d_array[keyword]


>>>print d("maximum")
10

answered Aug 15, 2013 at 6:52

Jimmy

5532 silver badges9 bronze badges

1 Comment

Ryan Saxe Over a year ago

please read my edited question...the dictionary was simply an example...the real question is if I can somehow assign a variable to respond to more than one string

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

python create interchangeable strings

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related