Define multiple functions in loop

Question

I am new to python and need to write a loop which declares for every element in a list a function. These functions will then be used after the loop. The last element in the loop needs an extra treatment.

Suppose I have this list

elements = ['element_1' ,'element_2', 'element_3']

I tried:

for i, item in enumerate(elements) : 

    if (i+1) == len(elements):
        def action(focus = 'action_' + str(i)) :
            print ("action_" + str(i) + " : " + item)
            .
            .
            .
    else :
        def action(focus = 'action_' + str(i)) :
            print ("action_" + str(i) + " : " + item)
            .
            .
            .

Why do you need to create the functions inside the loop? Just pass whatever you need as arguments to the functions — user1781434
– user1781434, Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 13:20
No, this is not what you want to do. This sounds like a classic XY problem. Can you explain what you are actually trying to accomplish? Note that Python supports closures that couple data with a function, as well as lambda or anonymous functions to solve the kinds of problems you might be having. — Jonathon Reinhart
– Jonathon Reinhart, Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 13:21
you can define function with name in string stackoverflow.com/questions/14078357/… — Ygrick
– Ygrick, Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 13:24
I am using python act-r and trying to model a cognitive architecture. I get this array via Rest, which should represent actions by a user. This would be an example: sites.google.com/site/pythonactr/subsymbolic/simple-activation — hhwwww
– hhwwww, Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 13:27
I know it is a terrible style, but I am bound to python act-r unfortunately and need to dynamically declare the production functions from the list. — hhwwww
– hhwwww, Commented Jul 4, 2018 at 13:37

John Luscombe · Accepted Answer · 2018-07-07 22:31:52Z

0

It is considered bad practice to have functions defined as you are suggesting. The best way to do it is to have function defined at the outer level, and call them wherever you need to use them.

answered Jul 7, 2018 at 22:31

John Luscombe

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1 Comment

hhwwww Over a year ago

It's not an option in my case, unfortunately. I could write a code generator. Then that would be the case.

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