UnboundLocalError and i dont understand how to fix

Question

this post is going to be super long, but here goes nothing.

I am writing a segment of a program that manages profiles. the profile contains billing and shipping address, and credit card number stuff as well. they import from a generic file, which looks something like this:

[
  {
    "name": "test-0-2-21",
    "size": "",
    "profileGroup": "",
    "billingAddress": {
      "name": "yes sir",
      "email": "yessir@gmail.com",
      "phone": "1111111111",
      "line1": "11 Garden Place",
      "line2": "11",
      "line3": "",
      "postCode": "07960",
      "city": "Chatham",
      "country": "United States",
      "state": "New Jersey"
    },
    "shippingAddress": {
      "name": "yes sir",
      "email": "yessir@gmail.com",
      "phone": "1111111111",
      "line1": "11 Garden Place",
      "line2": "11",
      "line3": "",
      "postCode": "07960",
      "city": "Chatham",
      "country": "United States",
      "state": "New Jersey"
    },
    "paymentDetails": {
      "nameOnCard": "yeet",
      "cardType": "",
      "cardNumber": "1111111111111111",
      "cardExpMonth": "12",
      "cardExpYear": "2023",
      "cardCvv": "321"
    },
    "sameBillingAndShippingAddress": true,
    "onlyCheckoutOnce": false,
    "matchNameOnCardAndAddress": false
  }
]

my code looks like this:

import os
import json

def profile_list():
    parent_dir = os.getcwd()
    created_dir = r"\Profiles"
    script_dir = parent_dir + created_dir
    checklist_path = os.path.join(script_dir, "Profiles.txt")

    try:
        checklist_file = open(checklist_path, "r")
        profile_list = checklist_file.read()
        print(profile_list)
        user_input()
    except IndexError:
        print("err")

def user_input():

    def edit_handler():
        profile_editor()
    def exec_handler():
        print("yay 2")

    def import_handler():
        importer()

    print("what do you want to do?")
    question = input(" \n type [1] to view/edit/create profiles, \n type [2] to execute a profile, \n "
                     "type [3] to import/export profiles. \n \n $")

    handlers = {
        '1': edit_handler,
        '2': exec_handler,
        '3': import_handler
    }

    if question in handlers:
        handlers[question]()
    else:
        print("Unknown choice", question)

def viewer():
    parent_dir = os.getcwd()
    created_dir = r"\Profiles"
    script_dir = parent_dir + created_dir
    profiles_path = os.path.join(script_dir, "Profiles.txt")
    try:
        with open(profiles_path, "r") as profile_file:
            profile_list = profile_file.read()
        print(profile_list)
    except IndexError:
        print("err")
    opening_question = input("please type the name of the profile you would like to enter. (case sensitive) \n \n $")

    file_name = opening_question
    file_extension = ".txt"
    file_dir = file_name + file_extension

    with open(profiles_path, 'r'):
        if opening_question in profile_list:
            with open(file_dir) as open_file:
                file_content = json.load(open_file)
                json_dump = json.dumps(file_content, indent=2)
            print(json_dump)
        else:
            print("Unknown choice", opening_question)

def profile_editor():

    def view_handler():
        viewer()
    def edit_handler():
        print("yay 2")

    def create_handler():
        print("to profile file")

    print("what do you want to do?")
    question = input(" \n type [1] to view a profile, \n type [2] to edit a profile, \n "
                     "type [3] to create/delete profiles. \n \n $")

    handlers = {
        '1': view_handler,
        '2': edit_handler,
        '3': create_handler
    }

    if question in handlers:
        handlers[question]()
    else:
        print("Unknown choice", question)

def importer():

    def setup():
        question = input("please enter the directory of the .json file you want to import. \n "
                         "(this is the exact system directory, for example, [C:\<user_folders>\Downloads])\n "
                         "DO NOT INCLUDE THE FILE IN THIS DIRECTORY \n \n $")
        question2 = input("please enter the name of the file, including the .json extension. (for example, "
                          "[aycd.json])\n \n $")
        file_name = "\\" + question2
        file_name.strip()
        directory = question + file_name
        directory = directory.strip()

        def import_confirmation():
            import_conformation = input("type [y] to import, type [n] to cancel. \n \n $")
            if import_conformation == "y":
                print("transferring")
                convert()
            elif import_conformation == "n":
                print("canceling...")
                user_input()
            else:
                print("unknown answer:", import_conformation)


        profile_name = [2]


        with open(directory, 'r') as importing_file:
            for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                line = line.strip()
                if position in profile_name:
                    print("is this the name of the correct profile?")
                    print("------------------------------------------")
                    print(line)
                    print("------------------------------------------")
                    import_hotswap = open("import_hotswap.txt", "w")
                    import_hotswap.write(directory)
                    import_hotswap.close()
                    import_confirmation()
                else:
                    pass

    def convert():
        readline_profilename = [2]
        readline_billing_name = [6]
        readline_billing_email = [7]
        readline_billing_phone = [8]
        readline_billing_line1 = [9]
        readline_billing_line2 = [10]
        readline_billing_line3 = [11]
        readline_billing_postcode = [12]
        readline_billing_city = [13]
        readline_billing_country = [14]
        readline_billing_state = [15]
        readline_shipping_name = [18]
        readline_shipping_email = [19]
        readline_shipping_phone = [20]
        readline_shipping_line1 = [21]
        readline_shipping_line2 = [22]
        readline_shipping_line3 = [23]
        readline_shipping_postcode = [24]
        readline_shipping_city = [25]
        readline_shipping_country = [26]
        readline_shipping_state = [27]
        readline_card_name = [30]
        readline_card_type = [31]
        readline_card_number = [32]
        readline_card_expmonth = [33]
        readline_card_expyear = [34]
        readline_card_ccv = [35]
        readline_samebillingandshippingadress = [37]
        readline_onlycheckoutonce = [38]
        readline_matchnameoncardadress = [39]

        profile_name_question = input("what do you want to call this profile? (do not include the extension)\n \n $")

        parent_dir = os.getcwd()
        created_dir = r"\Profiles"
        script_dir = parent_dir + created_dir
        profiles_path = os.path.join(script_dir, "Profiles.txt")
        new_profile = profile_name_question + ".txt"
        new_profile = new_profile.strip()
        new_profile_path = os.path.join(script_dir, new_profile)
        import_hotswap = open("import_hotswap.txt", "r")
        importing_file_path = import_hotswap.read()
        import_hotswap.close()

        try:
            with open(profiles_path, "a") as profile_file:
                profile_file.write(profile_name_question + "\n")
                profile_file.close()
            with open(profiles_path, "r") as profile_file:
                profile_list = profile_file.read()
                print(profile_list)
                profile_file.close()
        except IndexError:
            print("err")

        try:
            with open(importing_file_path, "r") as importing_file:
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_name:
                        billing_name = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_email:
                        billing_email = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_phone:
                        billing_phone = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_line1:
                        billing_line1 = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_line2:
                        billing_line2 = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_line3:
                        billing_line3 = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_postcode:
                        billing_postcode = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_city:
                        billing_city = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_country:
                        billing_country = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_state:
                        billing_state = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_shipping_name:
                        shipping_name = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_shipping_email:
                        shipping_email = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_shipping_phone:
                        shipping_phone = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_shipping_line1:
                        shipping_line1 = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_shipping_line2:
                        shipping_line2 = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_shipping_line3:
                        shipping_line3 = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_shipping_postcode:
                        shipping_postcode = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_shipping_city:
                        shipping_city = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_shipping_country:
                        shipping_country = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_shipping_state:
                        shipping_state = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_card_name:
                        card_name = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_card_type:
                        card_type = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_card_number:
                        card_number = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_card_expmonth:
                        card_expmonth = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_card_expyear:
                        card_expyear = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_card_ccv:
                        card_ccv = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_samebillingandshippingadress:
                        samebillingandshippingadress = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_onlycheckoutonce:
                        onlycheckoutonce = line
                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_matchnameoncardadress:
                        matchnameoncardadress = line


            with open(new_profile_path, "a") as new_profile:
                new_profile.write(profile_name_question + "\n")
                new_profile.write(billing_name + "\n")
                new_profile.write(billing_email + "\n")
                new_profile.write(billing_phone + "\n")
                new_profile.write(billing_line1 + "\n")
                new_profile.write(billing_line2 + "\n")
                new_profile.write(billing_line3 + "\n")
                new_profile.write(billing_postcode + "\n")
                new_profile.write(billing_city + "\n")
                new_profile.write(billing_country + "\n")
                new_profile.write(billing_state + "\n")
                new_profile.close()
                if samebillingandshippingadress == '"sameBillingAndShippingAddress": false,"':
                    new_profile = open(new_profile_path, "a")
                    new_profile.write(shipping_name + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(shipping_email + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(shipping_phone + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(shipping_line1 + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(shipping_line2 + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(shipping_line3 + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(shipping_postcode + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(shipping_city + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(shipping_country + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(shipping_state + "\n")
                    new_profile.close()
                elif samebillingandshippingadress == '"sameBillingAndShippingAddress": true,':
                    pass
                else:
                    print("error reading file: same billing and shipping adress is unclear. check importing file. "
                          "continuing anyway")
                if matchnameoncardadress == '"matchNameOnCardAndAddress": true':
                    new_profile = open(new_profile_path, "a")
                    new_profile.write("card name:", billing_name + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(card_type + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(card_number + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(card_expmonth + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(card_expyear + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(card_ccv + "\n")
                    new_profile.close()
                elif matchnameoncardadress == '"matchNameOnCardAndAddress": false':
                    new_profile = open(new_profile_path, "a")
                    new_profile.write(card_name + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(card_type + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(card_number + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(card_expmonth + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(card_expyear + "\n")
                    new_profile.write(card_ccv + "\n")
                    new_profile.close()
                else:
                    print("error reading file: match name on card and adress is unclear. check importing file. "
                          "continuing anyway")
        except IndexError:
            print("there was an error somewhere. "
                  "please check that your file is correctly formatted and has all 42 lines.")
    setup()

i when running, i get an error that looks like this:

File "C:\Users\nicho\Documents\Python stuff\PLTNM\profile_manager.py", line 316, in convert
    new_profile.write(billing_email)
UnboundLocalError: local variable 'billing_email' referenced before assignment

I've found other posts similar to this one, and they say to use global or nonlocal to help, but none of their examples are similar enough to try to implement the answers. and by just following context, i define billing_email in line 202, and use it in line 316. could someone explain why exactly it would do this? any help would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

You can't iterate through a file object multiple times unless you seek back to the beginning before each loop. When you iterate through a file object, you start from where the last read left off; if that was a complete iteration, you start from the end, so there's nothing left to read.

So only the first

for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):

loop is processing the file. The rest of them don't iterate at all, so none of them assign their variables.

You should have just one loop, like this:

                for position, line in enumerate(importing_file):
                    line = line.strip()
                    if position in readline_billing_name:
                        billing_name = line
                    elif position in readline_billing_email:
                        billing_email = line
                    elif position in readline_billing_phone:
                        billing_phone = line
                    elif position in readline_billing_line1:
                        billing_line1 = line
                    elif position in readline_billing_line2:
                        billing_line2 = line
                    elif position in readline_billing_line3:
                        billing_line3 = line
                    elif position in readline_billing_postcode:
                        billing_postcode = line
                    elif position in readline_billing_city:
                        billing_city = line
                    elif position in readline_billing_country:
                        billing_country = line
                    elif position in readline_billing_state:
                        billing_state = line
                    elif position in readline_shipping_name:
                        shipping_name = line
                    elif position in readline_shipping_email:
                        shipping_email = line
                    elif position in readline_shipping_phone:
                        shipping_phone = line
                    elif position in readline_shipping_line1:
                        shipping_line1 = line
                    elif position in readline_shipping_line2:
                        shipping_line2 = line
                    elif position in readline_shipping_line3:
                        shipping_line3 = line
                    elif position in readline_shipping_postcode:
                        shipping_postcode = line
                    elif position in readline_shipping_city:
                        shipping_city = line
                    elif position in readline_shipping_country:
                        shipping_country = line
                    elif position in readline_shipping_state:
                        shipping_state = line
                    elif position in readline_card_name:
                        card_name = line
                    elif position in readline_card_type:
                        card_type = line
                    elif position in readline_card_number:
                        card_number = line
                    elif position in readline_card_expmonth:
                        card_expmonth = line
                    elif position in readline_card_expyear:
                        card_expyear = line
                    elif position in readline_card_ccv:
                        card_ccv = line
                    elif position in readline_samebillingandshippingadress:
                        samebillingandshippingadress = line
                    elif position in readline_onlycheckoutonce:
                        onlycheckoutonce = line
                    elif position in readline_matchnameoncardadress:
                        matchnameoncardadress = line