[Tutor] Initialize values from a text input file

[Tim Johnson]

* Steven D'Aprano <steve at pearwood.info> [110103 15:03]:
> Tim Johnson wrote:
>> I'm just have a little fun here, but I bet that comments will help
>> further elighten me on the subtleties of python.
>>
>> consider the following console session:
>>>>> L = ['foo','bar']
>>>>> locals()[L[0]] = L[1]
>
> This will not do what you think it does. In general, local variables are  
> not writable except the normal way by `name = value` assignment. Try  
> this function:
>
> def spam():
>     x = 1
>     print(x)
>     locals()['x'] = 2
>     print(x)
>
>
> The fact that assignment to locals() works in the top-level global scope  
> is an accident of implementation.
 :) thanks for doing my homework for me.
>
> Have you considered using the ConfigParser module?
 Good tip. I will look at it

> (1) This won't work except in the global scope.
>
> (2) Even if it did work, do you trust the source of the text? Taking  
> external data provided by arbitrary untrusted users and turning it into  
> variables is a good way to have your computer owned by bad guys. 
  Say what? I'm not talking about anything accessible by "arbitrary
  users". Sorry if I gave that impression!
  Thanks
-- 
Tim 
tim at johnsons-web.com or akwebsoft.com
http://www.akwebsoft.com