Python - How to use the value of a python variable as a python list [duplicate]

For that you can use globals():

x = "list1"

list1 = ["a", "b", "c", "d"]

>>> print globals()[x]
["a", "b", "c", "d"]

You can also do it as:

x = "list1"

list1 = ["a", "b", "c", "d"]

get_var = lambda a: globals()[a]

>>> print get_var(x)
["a", "b", "c", "d"]

>>> print random.choice(get_var(x))
c

But as @MartijnPieters said, dictionaries is a much better way to go.

The real answer to this question is, you don't. Use a dict.

lists = {'list1': ["a", "b", "c", "d"],
         'list2': ["foo", "bar", "baz"]}

token = random.choice(lists[Variable1])

All direct answers to this question are ugly hacks that make it hard for tools like editors, debuggers and code checkers to analyze your program.

For the RIGHT way to do this:

import random

dict_of_lists = {"list1":['a','b','c','d']}
variable_1 = "list1"

token = random.choice(dict_of_lists[variable_1])

Using the globals() dictionary, as many have pointed out, is a Bad Idea for the reason that Martijn Pieters gave in his comment to your question. Use a dictionary instead and key by the "variable name" you need to access.

In [7]: a = "foo"

In [8]: b = "a"

In [9]: globals()[b]
Out[9]: 'foo'

But you shouldn't have to do this.