Python argparse - Add mandatory arguments with condition

Question

hi i want to add the following arguments:

parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
parser.add_argument('-n','--name', required=True)
parser.add_argument("-sd", "--start_date", dest="start_date", 
                        type=valid_date,
                        help="Date in the format yyyy-mm-dd")
parser.add_argument("-ed", "--end_date", dest="end_date", 
                        type=valid_date,
                        help="Date in the format yyyy-mm-dd")

i want that in case the name='test1' then start_date and end_date will be mandatory. can it be done with arparse? or do i need some validation method to enforce it to be mandatory?

thanks

You cannot make some args depending on other, you have to do it in the code later — azro
– azro, Commented May 31, 2020 at 15:49
I think this answers your question: stackoverflow.com/questions/25626109/… — Aziz
– Aziz, Commented May 31, 2020 at 15:50
Does this answer your question? Argparse: Required argument 'y' if 'x' is present — Богдан Туренко
– Богдан Туренко, Commented May 31, 2020 at 15:51
@Aziz and БогданТуренко Please notice that this question is not about presence of an argument, but a specific value it gets — Tomerikoo
– Tomerikoo, Commented May 31, 2020 at 15:52

Nico Müller · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-31 15:53:12Z

3

You can check the condition and then check if the other arguments are both provided.

import argparse

parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()
parser.add_argument('-n','--name', required=True)
parser.add_argument("-sd", "--start_date", dest="start_date", 
                        help="Date in the format yyyy-mm-dd")
parser.add_argument("-ed", "--end_date", dest="end_date", 
                        help="Date in the format yyyy-mm-dd")

args = parser.parse_args()

if args.name == "test1":
    if args.start_date is None or args.end_date is None:
        parser.error('Requiring start and end date if test1 is provided')

answered May 31, 2020 at 15:53

Nico Müller

1,8941 gold badge18 silver badges37 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

mikeP Over a year ago

although i was looking to avoid using "if", i see there is no other way :)

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Python argparse - Add mandatory arguments with condition

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

1 Comment

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related