Dynamic function execution

[John Machin]

Cameron Laird wrote:
> In article <mailman.718.1164469686.32031.python-list at python.org>,
> Fredrik Lundh  <fredrik at pythonware.com> wrote:
> >Andy Wu wrote:
> >
> >> def func(seconds = None, minutes = None, hours = None):
> >>     ...
> >>
> >> In my program I can get a string object('seconds', 'minutes', 'hours')
> >> to specify which parameter to use, the problem is I don't know how to
> >> call the function.
> >>
> >> Say I have a string 'minutes' and a integer 30, now I need to call the
> >> func this way: func(minutes = 30), how do I do this?
> >
> >    func(**{"minutes": 30})
> >
> ></F>
> >
>
> Now I'm confused:  what's the advantage of
>
>   def func(seconds = None, minutes = None, hours = None):
>       print seconds
>       print minutes
>       print hours
>
>   func(**{"minutes": 30})
>
> over
>
>   def func(seconds = None, minutes = None, hours = None):
>       print seconds
>       print minutes
>       print hours
>
>   func(minutes = 30)
>
> ?  Or am I missing the point that a better example of what
> Mr. Wu really wants is
>
>   def func(seconds = None, minutes = None, hours = None):
>       print seconds
>       print minutes
>       print hours
>
>   dimension = "minutes"
>   func(**{dimension: 30})
>
> ?

Hi Cameron,

You're on the right track. A better example would have the last two
lines replaced by:

# Simulate obtaining data
argument_name = "minutes"
argument_value = 30
# Then ...
func(**{argument_name: argument_value})

:-)

Cheers,
John