How to transform a python function of multiple parameters to one that accepts a list?

Question

I have a python function of many parameters

foo(x_1,...x_N)

Is there a pythonic way to transform it to a function that accepts a list of numpy.array?

make your function accept only one argument and then put all your params into a np.array — ForceBru
– ForceBru, Commented Dec 17, 2015 at 6:59

Eric · Accepted Answer · 2015-12-17 06:59:53Z

1

Are you looking for:

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
foo(*x)  # calls foo(1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

answered Dec 17, 2015 at 6:59

Eric

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2 Comments

It works! Thanks. But what is the strange syntax? Does '*' mean dereference?

That syntax means pass each element of the iterable as a positional argument. There's also **dict for keyword args.

timgeb · Accepted Answer · 2015-12-17 07:02:50Z

0

You can simply define the function as def foo(mylist) and then do whatever you want with it inside the function.

def foo(mylist):
    ''' mylist: an iterable '''
    for item in mylist: # example
        print(item)

answered Dec 17, 2015 at 7:00

timgeb

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@zell Why would it not be?