Python Using Keyword and variable number of arguments in same function

Question

I am wondering if there is a way to do something like this in python 2.7.12

def saveValues(file,*data,delim="|"):
    buf=""
    for d in data:
       buf+=str(d) + delim
    open(file,"w").write(buf[:-1])

So that I have the option to pass delim, or take the default.

Nope... doesn't work in 2.7... may work in 3, but I'm on an imbedded device where I got to use what I have. — user73383
– user73383, Commented Aug 5, 2016 at 19:31

wim · Accepted Answer · 2017-05-16 21:01:11Z

7

It's possible in Python 3.0+, after implementation of PEP 3102 -- Keyword-Only Arguments. The syntax would be exactly how you've shown it, in fact.

The usual workaround for Python 2 is this:

def saveValues(file, *data, **kwargs):
    delim = kwargs.pop('delim', '|')
    ...

answered Aug 5, 2016 at 18:58

wim

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