Passing a Python argument to a module

Question

Simple NOOB question, but after an hour of searching I still can't find it. In Python 3.6 I've got a working module nhcparams with a dictionary, FOO. The following code is tested and works:

import nhcparams
def get_max_price():
 my_price = nhcparams.FOO['Price']

I'd like to change it to:

import nhcparams
def get_max_price(ARG):
 my_price = nhcparams.ARG['Price']
get_max_price(FOO)

That doesn't work, which I am hoping is just a syntax problem on my end. Any help getting me past my idiocy would be appreciated :)

• kartheek: Where is FOO defined in 2nd code?, and what error you are getting??
• SethMMorton: Let me preempt the next question - You probably want to return the value (e.g. return nhcparams.FOO['Price']) because you won't be able to access my_price outside get_max_price().

Answer 1

You can use the getattr function to dynamically access attributes in your module:

import nhcparams
def get_max_price(ARG):
 my_price = getattr(nhcparams, ARG)['Price']
get_max_price('FOO')

Notice that 'FOO' needs to be passed as a string. And the attribute is returned from the getattr function call

• Graham Porter: Perfect. Exactly what I needed. Thank you. Upvoted, but don't have 15 Rep yet.

Answer 2

Try this

import nhcparams
def get_max_price(ARG):
 my_price = ARG['Price']
 # Do stuff
get_max_price(nhcparams.FOO)

• chepner: Did you try this?
• kartheek: @chepner juss changes its typo
• SethMMorton: With the edit this is much better. Depending on whether the OP always wants to get the value from nhcparams or wants to be flexible about the module then this may or may not be better than the getattr method.