Resetting Values in Global array within a Function python

Question

I am coding in python and ....

I have a quick question. I am trying to reset the values of a global array by calling a certain function but am having difficulty. Here is my code at the moment:

CHOICES = (('1', 'First'), ('2', 'Second'))

def set_choices():
    global CHOICES
    CHOICES = (('3', 'Third'), ('4', 'Fourth'))

Essentially what I want to do is reset the array CHOICES by calling the function from some other function. Is there a way to do that?

Thanks!

How is what you want different from what you've already written? I have the feeling I'm missing something. — Cameron
– Cameron, Commented Apr 2, 2012 at 3:02
Did you actually call your function set_choices() in your program? Or there are some other information missing? And is your CHOICES supposed to be a list or a set? — George
– George, Commented Apr 2, 2012 at 3:08
Yeah I did call set_choices() in my original program. and yes it is supposed to a be a set. What I am doing is calling set_choices() in one function. Then in another file I am importing the array CHOICES. When I call set_choices in the first function and then import the array in the next the change doesn't really transfer ... — Mars J
– Mars J, Commented Apr 2, 2012 at 3:12
or else if are particular about tuples, you need to use list of tuples to do that. Not tuples of tuples. — Surya Kasturi
– Surya Kasturi, Commented Apr 2, 2012 at 3:29

Community · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-23 12:27:49Z

4

myObject = [('1', 'First'), ('2', 'Second')] 
CHOICES = set(myObject)

def set_choices():
    global CHOICES
    CHOICES.clear() # Remove the element from set CHOICES
    # Do some of your changes here
    anotherObject = [('3', 'Third'), ('4', 'Fourth')]
    CHOICES[:] = set(anotherObject)


print(CHOICES) # Before calling set_choices
set_choices()
print(CHOICES) # After you calling set_choices

I think this will work. But I don't know if using set and tuple is a good idea, I personally would suggestion you to use list of list instead. Are there particular reason to use a set instead of other options?

Output:

{('2', 'Second'), ('1', 'First')}
{('4', 'Fourth'), ('3', 'Third')}

Respond to your comment to use list:

CHOICES = [['1', 'First'], ['2', 'Second']]

def set_choices():
    # Changed since the comment of another member aaronasterling
    # Removed the use of global
    CHOICES[:] = [['3', 'Third'], ['4', 'Fourth']]

print(CHOICES)
set_choices()
print(CHOICES)

Output:

[['1', 'First'], ['2', 'Second']]
[['3', 'Third'], ['4', 'Fourth']]

To learn more about slice assignment, check out this SO question & answer.

edited May 23, 2017 at 12:27

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answered Apr 2, 2012 at 3:12

George

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1 Comment

Mars J Over a year ago

I guess I meant a list. But I just tried it as an array as well and it didn't work either :/

aaronasterling · Accepted Answer · 2012-04-02 03:57:02Z

1

If you want to do this with a list then there's no need for the global keyword.

CHOICES = [('1', 'First'), ('2', 'Second')

def set_choices():
    CHOICES[:] = (('3', 'Third'), ('4', 'Fourth'))

This will replace the content of the list without changing the reference. It works by slice assignment. The CHOICES[:] references a slice of the whole list.

answered Apr 2, 2012 at 3:57

aaronasterling

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