Parsing arbitrary number of arguments in Python OptParser

Question

How can I define an option with an arbitrary number of arguments in Python's OptParser?

I'd like something like:

python my_program.py --my-option X,Y  # one argument passed, "X,Y"

python my_prgoram.py --my-option X,Y  Z,W  # two arguments passed, "X,Y" and "Z,W"

the nargs= option of OptParser limits me to a defined number. How can I do something like this?

parser.add_option("--my-options", dest="my_options", action="append", nargs="*")

which will simply take whatever's after --my-option and put it into a list? E.g. for case 1, it should be ["X,Y"], for case 2 it should be ["X,Y", "Z,W"].

What's a way to do this with OptParser?

thanks.

See this question: stackoverflow.com/questions/1025214.

FMc
– FMc

2010-07-05 18:39:05 +00:00
Commented Jul 5, 2010 at 18:39 — FMc
– FMc, Commented Jul 5, 2010 at 18:39

Gary Kerr · Accepted Answer · 2010-07-05 18:14:55Z

3

The optarse module is deprecated in python 2.7 (which has just been released!). If you can upgrade, then you can use its replacement the argparse module. I think that has what you want. It supports a '*' value for nargs.

http://docs.python.org/library/argparse.html#nargs

answered Jul 5, 2010 at 18:14

Gary Kerr

14.6k4 gold badges52 silver badges52 bronze badges

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

Comments

Jon Cage · Accepted Answer · 2010-07-05 18:06:46Z

0

Have you tried ommitting the n_args bit? The examples in the docs suggest you don't need it.

answered Jul 5, 2010 at 18:06

Jon Cage

37.8k41 gold badges148 silver badges227 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Parsing arbitrary number of arguments in Python OptParser

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related