Create a variable "on the fly"

[Paul D.Smith]

Can Python create a variable "on-the-fly".  For example I would like
something like...

make_variable('OSCAR', 'the grouch');
print OSCAR;

...to output...

the grouch

Anything like this in Python?

And in case anyone is interested, I want to instantiate a set of variables
based on environment variables without using os.environ everywhere by having
a look instantiate Python variables of the appropriate type.

Thanks,
Paul DS.

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