Calling function from input variable

Question

def function1(arguments):
    print("Function 1",arguments)

def function2(arguments):
    print("Function 2",arguments)

userInput = input()

Is it possible for the user to enter a function and arguments and for said function to run. eg the user enters function2("Hello World")

Abhijit · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-06 07:14:59Z

1

Though you can always use eval to make this work but for reasons eval is evil, it is better to use a dictionary call back mechanism, notably

You can create a dictionary to bind the function with the names and call them with appropriate parameters

call_backs = {'function1': function1, 'function2': function2}

assuming you provide an input as follows function2, "Hello World",

You first need to split the data userInput = userInput .split(',') and pass it onto the callback function via the dictionary

call_backs[userInput[0]](userInput[1])

answered Apr 6, 2015 at 7:14

Abhijit

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