is there a way to instantiate variables from iterated output in python?

Question

Say I have a list my_list = ['a','b','c'] and I have a set of values my_values = [1,2,3]

Is there a way to iterate through my list and set the values of my_list equal to my_values

for i in range(len(my_list)):

    ## an operation that instantiates my_list[i] as the variable a = my_values[i]

...
>>> print a
1

I just want to do this without copying the text of file that holds the program to a new file, inserting the new lines as strings where they need to go in the program. I'd like to skip the create, rename, destroy, file operations if possible, as I'm dealing with pretty large sets of stuff.

Thanks for the warning @Eevee. I know, it seems super foolish, but it's not for a professional project, and will be very safely sand-boxed. — blanket_cat
– blanket_cat, Commented Jun 28, 2014 at 9:58

Aaron Hall · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-28 01:33:17Z

2

This is probably hackery that you shouldn't do, but since the globals() dict has all the global variables in it, you can add them to the global dict for the module:

>>> my_list = ['a','b','c']
>>> my_values = [1,2,3]
>>> for k, v in zip(my_list, my_values):
...     globals()[k] = v
... 
>>> a
1
>>> b
2
>>> c
3

But caveat emptor, best not to mix your namespace with your variable values. I don't see anything good coming of it.

I recommend using a normal dict instead to store your values instead of loading them into the global or local namespace.

answered Jun 28, 2014 at 1:33

Aaron Hall♦

400k93 gold badges416 silver badges342 bronze badges

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

2 Comments

blanket_cat Over a year ago

That's awesome! Totally works. That saved me so much headache work. Also didn't know the globals were stored like that either. This is cool, I can even just "del globals[key]" when I'm done with my variable. I will definitely come back and vote you up when I get over 15 reputation.

blanket_cat Over a year ago

Told you I'd be back!

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

is there a way to instantiate variables from iterated output in python?

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related