python function string parameter convert to variable name

Question

I'm rather new to Python and programming in general, so I apologise in advance if my terminology is incorrect.

hue_alert_delay = 0

def delays(name, delay):
    global hue_alert_delay

    if name == 'hue_alert_delay':
        for i in range(0, delay):
            hue_alert_delay += 1
            time.sleep(1)

        hue_alert_delay = 0

delays('hue_alert_delay', 60)

What I'm trying to achieve:

I would like the function to convert the 'name' parameter, which is a string input, into a pre-exiting variable, which will negate the need for multiple IF statements.

The above example includes only one IF statement, but for my project there will be a lot more and I would rather keep the function clean and simple.

This won't work, but it's what I'm trying to aim for:

hue_alert_delay = 0

def delays(name, delay):
    global name

    for i in range(0, delay):
        name += 1
        time.sleep(1)

    hue_alert_delay = 0

delays('hue_alert_delay', 60)

Any assistance would be appreciated.

deceze · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-17 08:50:55Z

1

Use a dict:

values = {
    'hue_alert_delay': 0
}

def delays(name, delay):
    values[name] += 1

Whenever you feel like using "variable variables", what you most likely really want is a dict storing key-value associations. Yes, there are other ways to do literally what you want, but that soon leads to insane code.

answered Jun 17, 2016 at 8:50

deceze♦

525k89 gold badges806 silver badges954 bronze badges

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

1 Comment

Sparkacus Over a year ago

Thank you very much

Abdul Fatir · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-17 08:55:08Z

0

Use a dictionary like so.

vars = {'hue_alert_delay':0}
def delays(name, delay):
  for i in range(0, delay):
      vars[name] += 1
      time.sleep(1)
  vars[name] = 0

You can also use globals()[name] but I won't recommend it.

edited Jun 17, 2016 at 8:55

answered Jun 17, 2016 at 8:52

Abdul Fatir

6,4075 gold badges33 silver badges61 bronze badges

4 Comments

TigerhawkT3 Over a year ago

The global keyword is unnecessary here. You're not trying to reassign to that name at any point. You're just mutating that object.

Sparkacus Over a year ago

Thank you very very much, I applied this principle to my project and it worked perfectly.

Sparkacus Over a year ago

I'm rather new to forums too :). Should I update the post some how to explain that it's resolved?

Abdul Fatir Over a year ago

@Sparkacus No, you should click on the tick and mark this as the answer if it worked for you.

Abdul Fatir · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-17 08:54:29Z

0

Use a dictionary:

vars = {'hue_alert_delay':0}

def delays(name, delay):
    for i in range(delay):
        vars[name] += 1
        time.sleep(1)

    vars[name] = 0

delays('hue_alert_delay', 60)

edited Jun 17, 2016 at 8:54

Abdul Fatir

6,4075 gold badges33 silver badges61 bronze badges

answered Jun 17, 2016 at 8:52

TigerhawkT3

49.5k6 gold badges66 silver badges101 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

python function string parameter convert to variable name

3 Answers 3

1 Comment

4 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

1 Comment

4 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related