Use variables from iPython in a script

Question

I'd like to pass variables I've defined in iPython into a python script.

For example:

In [1]: import demo
In [2]: x = [1, 2, 3]
In [3]: y = [1, 2, 3]
In [4]: rtp x y

Where the script is:

import IPython.ipapi
ip = IPython.ipapi.get()

def run_this_plot(*args):
    """ Run
    Examples
    In [1]: import demo
    In [2]: rtp x y <z> 
    Where x, y, and z are numbers of any type
    """
    print "args: ", args
    # Do something here with args, such as plot them

# Activate the extension
ip.expose_magic("rtp", run_this_plot)

So I'd like the values from x and y in iPython, whatever they might be (ints, ranges, etc) to be seen from the script, which right now only sees the string "x y".

How might I obtain these values in the transfer from iPython to a script? If it's not possible, what do people usually do as a workaround?

Thanks! --Erin

Marty · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-03 16:07:11Z

1

You might find it useful to browse the source of the IPython.Magic module for clues. It would appear you can only get one string argument into a custom magic method. But I can't seem to find a doc reference to confirm.

While I imagine there's a better way to accomplish this, the following should work for your specific example:

import IPython.ipapi
ip = IPython.ipapi.get()

def run_this_plot(self, arg_s=''):
    """ Run
    Examples
    In [1]: import demo
    In [2]: rtp x y <z> 
    Where x, y, and z are numbers of any type
    """
    args = []
    for arg in arg_s.split():
        try:
            args.append(self.shell.user_ns[arg])
        except KeyError:
            raise ValueError("Invalid argument: %r" % arg)
    print "args: ", args
    # Do something here with args, such as plot them

# Activate the extension
ip.expose_magic("rtp", run_this_plot)

answered Aug 3, 2011 at 16:07

Marty

8,3401 gold badge22 silver badges10 bronze badges

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

1 Comment

user671110 Over a year ago

Thank you- this is exactly what I was looking for. With x and y values set, rtp x y now prints the correct values.

Jakob Bowyer · Accepted Answer · 2011-08-03 14:49:29Z

0

It worked fine when I did

rtp x, y

answered Aug 3, 2011 at 14:49

Jakob Bowyer

34.8k8 gold badges80 silver badges91 bronze badges

2 Comments

user671110 Over a year ago

That's strange. I still get a string output- 'x, y' when I use that line. Does python recognize the correct types of your x, y variables as well?

user671110 Over a year ago

I'm using Python 2.7 and iPython 0.10.1 Win 32.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Use variables from iPython in a script

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

1 Comment

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related