How to access variables from file passed through command line

Question

Currently I have config.py in my package and I can access variables defined in config.py from other py files as

import config
var1 = config.var1

First of all, Can I pass file as argument? test.py config.py

But is there way to pass config file through command line as argument and access the variables defined in it? I see there is sys module to get arguments passed through command line. But can I get variables defined in passed file?

edit Now I am able to access variables in passed file as __import__(sys.argv[1]) and called python test.py config. But can I call config.py file by giving pythonpath? e/g/ python test.py ~/Desktop/config or PYTHONPATH='~/Desktop/' python test.py config? Because if I do this I get no module error.

Are you referring to command-line parameters, like my_script.py a=1 b=abc d=1,23,5? — xtofl
– xtofl, Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 17:47
Just get the file name from sys.argv, then import the file and access the variables. — Chad S.
– Chad S., Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 17:50
@ChadS. I tried sys.argv but I get error import by filename is not supported I tried __import__(sys.argv[1]) and passed python test.py ./config.py — user2661518
– user2661518, Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 18:20
@user2661518: What if you strip off the path prefix and the py suffix? Also, why not store the variables in a language agnostic way (e.g. JSON or XML) and use a Python library to read the variables from the file? — user3657941
– user3657941, Commented Jan 4, 2016 at 18:25

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:23:17Z

3

What you do with import config is make all names from config.py available in your script.

You can do this using __import__(sys.args[1]) like stated in answers to this question.

But for actual program configuration, sure do take a look at the argparse module!

p = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="...")
p.add_argument("--var1", type=int)
p.add_argument("--var2", type=str)

config = p.parse_args() # will look at sys.args by default

if config.var1 > 10:
    ....

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:23

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Jan 4, 2016 at 17:50

xtofl

41.7k13 gold badges112 silver badges203 bronze badges

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

3 Comments

user2661518 Over a year ago

With argparse you can't pass the file, right? I tried sys.argv but I get error import by filename is not supported I tried __import__(sys.argv[1]) and passed python test.py ./config.py

user2661518 Over a year ago

got it ! I ran it as python test.py config But how can call config file through path? e.g. python test.py ~/Desktop/config

xtofl Over a year ago

On windows, you can set PATH=%PATH%;c:/dir/with/script, and then you can run your script from anywhere.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

How to access variables from file passed through command line

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

3 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related