How to check whether a variable is defined earlier in a program?

[bharathpaul]

Hi,
I am using Python 3.1.1. In perl we can use defined($variab le name) to check whether a variable is defined previously or not.. I am looking for a function in Python which is used to check whether a Dictionary is defined previously.
Note:
I tried with not Operator which is not at all helpful.

[Glenton]

Recipe for testing is a variable is defined.

Generally, in python the variable is assumed to be defined. Perhaps you can tell us what you're trying to do, and we'll help find a pythonic way of doing it?

Good luck!

[bharathpaul]

Actually i am comparing the perl code with python. In Perl, they can define the variable in anyplace and can use undef to undefine a variable. I just want to know, is there a similar kind of things are in python..

[Glenton]

Python tends to do things slightly differently. But my experience on perl is pretty small...