Re: Given a string - execute a function by the same name

[Gary Herron]

py****@bdurham.com wrote:

I'm parsing a simple file and given a line's keyword, would like to call
the equivalently named function.

There are 3 ways I can think to do this (other than a long if/elif
construct):

1. eval()

2. Convert my functions to methods and use getattr( myClass, "method" )

3. Place all my functions in dictionary and lookup the function to be
called

Any suggestions on the "best" way to do this?

Thank you,
Malcolm
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You are on the right track with (2), but you need not do any conversion.
All objects that have attributes (and a function is an attribute) can
be looked up with getattr.

For instance, from a module (function getcwd from modules os):

>>import os
getattr(os,'getcwd')

<built-in function getcwd>

>>getattr(os,'getcwd')()

'/home/gherron'
You can use getattr with objects, classes, modules, and probably more.

Gary Herron