Variable defined in a function, needed within a function within this function - Python

Question

I need to define a variable within a function and use it in a function that is within the original function. For example,

def go_to_next_function():
    globvar = 0
    def add_one_to_globvar():
        global globvar  
        for i in range(10):
            globvar += 1
            print(globvar)
    add_one_to_globvar()
go_to_next_function()

Now I know if globvar is defined outside all of the functions then it would work, but I want it to be defined inside the go_to_next_function() function. Any ideas? Thanks.

python2 or python3? In python3 you can use `nonlocal`. – Aran-Fey Aug 25 '16 at 13:36 — Aran-Fey, Aug 25 '16 at 13:36

mgilson · Accepted Answer · 2016-08-25T13:42:02.743

1

If you are using python3.x, you can use the nonlocal keyword rather than global and your function should work.

If you're on python2.x, you're stuck with old hacks like putting the value in a container and mutating that. It's an ugly hack (which is why nonlocal was added in the first place):

def go_to_next_function():
    closure_var = [0]
    def add_one():
        closure_var[0] += 1
        print closure_var[0]
    add_one()
go_to_next_function()

edited Aug 25 '16 at 13:42

answered Aug 25 '16 at 13:36

mgilson

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Thank you. I'm using Python 3 – 123Bear Honey Aug 25 '16 at 13:42

Variable defined in a function, needed within a function within this function - Python

1 Answers1