Python, command line argument parsing

Question

How do you accept/parse command line arguments for a py file that has no class? Here is what I have inside my file test.py:

import sys

if __name__ == '__main__':

How do I get the arguments when the file is executed via command line? I call it via:

python test.py <arg1>

and obviously want the value of "arg1".

I did and couldn't find much other than libraries that I don't want to import. — CODe
– CODe, Commented Oct 21, 2011 at 23:03
When you search for argv python. first link on Google is your answer — Lelouch Lamperouge
– Lelouch Lamperouge, Commented Oct 21, 2011 at 23:04
@EknathIyer That's all well and good, but what if you don't know to google for argv? This is perfectly appropriate. — Eric Wilson
– Eric Wilson, Commented Oct 21, 2011 at 23:07
How aboout: python commad line argument most results on the first page point to the right answer, with examples — Lelouch Lamperouge
– Lelouch Lamperouge, Commented Oct 21, 2011 at 23:21
@EknathIyer See meta.stackexchange.com/questions/5280/embrace-the-non-googlers. Google should lead here. This may not be a great question, but the fact that you can Google the answer if you know the right search terms doesn't mean it's not appropriate for SO. — agf
– agf, Commented Oct 21, 2011 at 23:32

jathanism · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-21 23:04:04Z

9

Look no further than sys.argv, which is a list containing all arguments passed to the program.

answered Oct 21, 2011 at 23:04

jathanism

33.8k9 gold badges72 silver badges89 bronze badges

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

2 Comments

CODe Over a year ago

Thank you sir, I figured it was something easy like this. For some reason I couldn't get a google search to provide me with this.

jathanism Over a year ago

Remember "argv". That's standard computer speak for the arguments passed to any program. Historically it is short for "argument vector", a vector being mostly equivalent to what Python calls a list.

Griffin · Accepted Answer · 2011-10-21 23:04:43Z

5

try:
    arg = sys.argv[1]
except IndexError:
    print "No argument specified."
    sys.exit(1)

answered Oct 21, 2011 at 23:04

Griffin

6426 silver badges18 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Python, command line argument parsing

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related