function with a lot of parameters --maintainability issue

[William Park]

On Mon, Oct 30, 2000 at 03:30:19PM -0800, First Name Last Name wrote:
> William, thanks for your help. One more quesiton about your solution.
> Since I would like that dictionary to contain a whole set of default values of different types. Can I do something like this:
> 
> In file blarblar.py  where func is definied, I also define the dictionary.
> That is:
> configDict = {'a': 1, 'b': TRUE, 'c': "Default Val", 'd': "1.245", ...}
> 
> def func(sid, args):
>     for i in args.keys():
>      setVariable(sid, ..., args[i])     
> 
> In the file that will call the function
> from blarblar import *
> 
> def callYou():
>     # assume sid is got from somewhere
>     newConfigDict = configDict
>     # want to change some of the default values
>     newconfigDict['a'] = 2
>     newConffigDict['b'] = FALSE
>     func(sid,newConfigDict)
> ????

Yes, something like that.  But, since you already have the dictionary
defined in 'blarblar.py', there is no need to pass it to
'blarblar.func()'.  Also, 'newConfigDict' is not necessary.

In 'blarblar.py',
    configDict = {'a': 1, 'b': TRUE, ...}

    def func(sid):
	for i in configDict.keys():
	    setVariable(sid, ..., configDict[i])

And in your main script,
    from blarblar import *

    def callYou():
	...	
	configDict['a'] = 2
	configDict['b'] = FALSE
	func(sid)


> Or I am think should I implement this configDict stuff in a class instead???

Hmm... try dictionary first.  Then, when you are comfortable with
Python, then perhaps class.  Either will work.


> 
> Please help...
> Thanks

---William Park, Open Geometry Consulting