2.13. builtin - User Inputs

2.13.1. Runtime Inputs

# python3: runtime input (stops your code and waits for a user input)
store = input("Text asking for input: ")

• python hack for “switch” statement

# python doesnt have a "switch" keyword function builtin, but you are given the power to forge one!
#   lets say you have multiple options on input
print("Options:\n"
      "1) Main Menu\n"
      "2) Names\n"
      "3) Addresses\n")
# functions that handle each menu:
def main_menu():
    pass
def names():
    pass
def addresses():
    pass
# switch statement to pipe the inputs
piper = {"1": main_menu,
         "2": names,
         "3": addresses}
# the dict stores the function objects, and piper[input]() then calls the function upon valid input
piper.get([input("Enter option 1, 2, or 3: ")], "Invalid Input")()

2.13.2. Commandline Inputs

# ask for user inputs when calling the script
#   note that sys.argv[0] is the name of the script (in this example "script.py")

# access argument via sys
import sys

# we are looking for 3 inputs, else give guidance for proper input format
if len(sys.argv) == (1+3):
    name_first = sys.argv[1]
    name_last = sys.argv[2]
    age = sys.argv[3]
else:
    print("Script Usage:\n"
          "script.py arg1 arg2 arg3\n"
          "where,\n'
          "arg1 == First name\n"
          "arg2 == Last name\n"
          "arg3 == age\n")