Can global variable be passed into Python function?

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:45:14 -0500, Ned Batchelder wrote:

> I think it might be that the OP's question, "Can a global variable be
> passed into a function", really had nothing to do with the
> name/value/variable distinction, and we've done it again: taken a simple
> question and spun off into pedantry and trivia.

You might be right, but the OP's question isn't really clear. Surely he 
didn't mean something as trivial as this?

x = 1  # This is a global
some_function(x)  # Passing a global into a function


His description, especially the comment about pass by reference, suggests 
that there is more to it than just passing a global variable as argument 
to a function. I think he is trying to *write* to the variable as well, 
as an output variable, something like this:

x = 1
y = 2
some_function(x)
assert x == 99
some_function(y)
assert y == 99


Sadly, it appears to have been a drive-by question: Sam tossed a question 
out the window as he drove by, and may never come back for the answer... 
I hope I'm wrong, but it's been nearly 24 hours since the question was 
asked and not a peep from the OP.


Sam, if you're out there reading this, please respond with more detail 
about what you are trying to do!


-- 
Steven