Call specific variable in a Python function

Question

I have a Python script called module.py with several functions in it, like this:

def foo_1():
    var = 1
    return

def foo_2():
    var = 2
    return

def foo_3():
    var = 3
    return

def foo_4():
    var = 4
    return

Each of the functions (foo_1, foo_2, ...) defines a unique value for the variable named var, and I am looking for a way to grab this value from each of the functions. Is this possible in Python? It is crucial to my project that each of the variables var have the same local name in their respective function.

I have already been able to grab a list of all the functions as follows:

from inspect import getmembers, isfunction
import module

function_list = [pair[0] for pair in getmembers(module, isfunction)]

Which returns a list of all the functions names [foo_1, foo_2, foo_3, foo_4]. Now, I am looking for a way to iterate through all the functions and grab the value of var in each one — something like this:

var_value_tuples = []

for function in function_list:

     var_values.append((function, function.var))

Thank you in advance for any help.

Those functions don't do anything. var is a local variable. — Barmar
– Barmar, Commented Jul 2, 2021 at 15:48
It's not possible to access local variables of a function from outside the function. — Barmar
– Barmar, Commented Jul 2, 2021 at 15:51
You should have the function return the value with return var. Then you can use var_values.append(function()) — Barmar
– Barmar, Commented Jul 2, 2021 at 15:53

zr0gravity7 · Accepted Answer · 2021-07-02 15:49:24Z

1

A different way to achieve this, that is less of an anti-pattern and does not require introspection (also does not impose any specific function signature):

vars = { "foo_1": 1, "foo_2": 2, "foo_3": 3, "foo_4": 4 }

def foo_1():
    var = vars["foo_1"]
    return

def foo_2():
    var = vars["foo_2"]
    return

def foo_3():
    var = vars["foo_3"]
    return

def foo_4():
    var = vars["foo_4"]
    return

Some things to consider:

do these all need to be distinct functions if they have such similar implementations
since the functions seem to have a one to one mapping, can you use a list or some other data structure to map from vars to functions

Ultimately this is an XY Problem. You should add more context or outline the overall problem you are trying to solve.

answered Jul 2, 2021 at 15:49

zr0gravity7

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2 Comments

chepner Over a year ago

The only thing I agree with in this answer (not that the suggestion is wrong, just dubiously applicable) is the assertion that this is an XY problem.

chepner Over a year ago

That's what comments are for: to figure out what the real question is.

Epsi95 · Accepted Answer · 2021-07-02 15:58:47Z

1

you can try something like

foo_1.__code__.co_varnames gives list of all local variables in the function
foo_1.__code__.co_consts gives all the constant values,first one being the default return value i.e. None

def foo_1():
    var = 1
    var2 = 2
    return

variables = dict(zip(foo_1.__code__.co_varnames, foo_1.__code__.co_consts[1:]))
print(variables)

{'var': 1, 'var2': 2}

edited Jul 2, 2021 at 15:58

answered Jul 2, 2021 at 15:53

Epsi95

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