global variables: to be or not to be

[icarus]

I've read 'global variables' are bad. The ones that are defined as
'global' inside a function/method.

The argument that pops up every now and then is that they are hard to
keep track of. I don't know Python well enough to argue with that.
Just started learning it a few days ago, so I won't get into
philosophical questions such as "why this? Why not that?". I'll take
it as it is, just like I take 1 + 1 = 2 for granted.

So..."global variables taste bad. Avoid them."

But how do I get around it? How do I update and access a variable
anytime I want? Any easy-to-follow examples? Thanks in advance.

[subeen]

Another way to avoid using global variables is to return more than one
values from the function.

Here is an example that may help you to understand it:

def foo(a, b, c):
a += c
b += c
return a, b

a = 5
b = 10
c = 2
print a, b
a, b = foo(a, b, c)
print a, b
regards,
Subeen.
http://love-python.blogspot.com/
On Feb 23, 9:11 am, icarus <[e-mail]:

I've read 'global variables' are bad. The ones that are defined as
'global' inside a function/method.

The argument that pops up every now and then is that they are hard to
keep track of. I don't know Python well enough to argue with that.
Just started learning it a few days ago, so I won't get into
philosophical questions such as "why this? Why not that?". I'll take
it as it is, just like I take 1 + 1 = 2 for granted.

So..."global variables taste bad. Avoid them."

But how do I get around it? How do I update and access a variable
anytime I want? Any easy-to-follow examples? Thanks in advance.