List user defined variables from a parent module (Python 3)

Question

I have a function within a module that lists defined variables

Simplified Example:

    for var_name in globals():
        if not var_name.startswith('__'):
            var_value = eval(var_name)
            var_type = type(var_value)
            print(var_name, "is", var_type, "and is equal to ", var_value)

This works when I run it from within the origin module, but not when the module is imported to another script. It only ever reads the variables defined in the origin module.

I also tried:

import __main__
for var_name in __main__.__dict__:

But that didn't work either. How can I get this function to work when imported into another script?

Thanks!

Right. globals, despite its name, is only global to a single file. Python does not have the concept of globals spanning multiple files or modules, and that's a Good Thing. __main__.__dict__ should do what you want. — Tim Roberts
– Tim Roberts, Commented Jul 5, 2022 at 20:45
I'm sorry, I did use __main__.__dict__, I just wrote it wrong in my question! — TheCrazySwede
– TheCrazySwede, Commented Jul 5, 2022 at 21:13

Allie · Accepted Answer · 2022-07-05 20:48:26Z

1

You mean to use __main__.__dict__, not __main__.dict. That, with some minor loop modifications (i.e. eval will not work as you want it to in this context, instead use __main__.__dict__[var_name]) should get your code working.

answered Jul 5, 2022 at 20:48

Allie

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1 Comment

TheCrazySwede Over a year ago

I'm sorry, I did use __main__.__dict__, I just wrote it wrong in my question! But you're right - using __main__.__dict__[var_name] solved it for me; thank you so much!

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