Global variables in modules...

[ttsiodras@gmail.com]

With a.py containing this:

========== a.py ===========
#!/usr/bin/env python
import b

g = 0

def main():
global g
g = 1
b.callb()

if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
=============== ===========

....and b.py containing...

========= b.py =============
import a, sys

def callb():
print a.g
=============== ===========

....can someone explain why invoking a.py prints 0?
I would have thought that the global variable 'g' of module 'a' would
be set to 1...

[Peter Otten]

Re: Global variables in modules...

ttsiodras@gmail .com wrote:

With a.py containing this:
>
========== a.py ===========
#!/usr/bin/env python
import b
>
g = 0
>
def main():
global g
g = 1
b.callb()
>
if __name__ == "__main__":
main()
=============== ===========
>
...and b.py containing...
>
========= b.py =============
import a, sys
>
def callb():
print a.g
=============== ===========
>
...can someone explain why invoking a.py prints 0?
I would have thought that the global variable 'g' of module 'a' would
be set to 1...

When you run a.py as a script it is put into the sys.modules module cache
under the key "__main__" instead of "a". Thus, when you import a the cache
lookup fails and a.py is executed again. You end up with two distinct
copies of the script and its globals:

$ python -i a.py
0

>>import __main__, a
>>a.g

0

>>__main__.g

1

Peter

[ttsiodras@gmail.com]

Re: Global variables in modules...

That clears it up. Thanks.

[Terry Jones]

Re: Global variables in modules...

>>>>"Peter" == Peter Otten <__peter__@web. dewrites:
Peterttsiodras@gmail .com wrote:
[snip]

>...can someone explain why invoking a.py prints 0?
>I would have thought that the global variable 'g' of module 'a' would
>be set to 1...

PeterWhen you run a.py as a script it is put into the sys.modules module
Petercache under the key "__main__" instead of "a". Thus, when you import
Petera the cache lookup fails and a.py is executed again. You end up with
Petertwo distinct copies of the script and its globals
[snip]


Suggesting the following horribleness in a.py

g = 0

def main():
global g
import b
g = 1
b.callb()

if __name__ == "__main__":
import sys, __main__
sys.modules['a'] = __main__
main()


Terry