Python’s locals() function returns a dictionary of name --> object mappings. The names are the ones defined in the current local scope, i.e., defined within the current module, class, method, or function—whatever the most local scope is. The objects are the values associated to these names. For example, if you set variable x = [1, 2, 3] in your local function scope, the locals() dictionary will contain a name 'x' and an object reference to [1, 2, 3].
Related Tutorial: Namespaces Made Simple
Usage Examples
Learn by example! Here’s a formatted example of how to use the locals() built-in function:
def f():
x = [1, 2, 3]
print(locals())
x = 42
f()
# {'x': [1, 2, 3]}Within the local scope of function f, you define a new variable named 'x' and set it to the list object [1, 2, 3]. You also define another variable x = 42 on the global module level, not within a local function scope. If you call the locals() function within the function, it returns the dictionary of name --> object mappings. Among the mappings in the dictionary, you find the mapping 'x': [1, 2, 3]. Thus, the local scope of the function trumps the global module-level scope.
You can also modify a global variable using the locals() dictionary:
>>> friend = 'Alice' >>> locals()['friend'] = 'Bob' >>> friend 'Bob'
This is useful if you want to modify some dynamic variables that you don’t yet know at programming time. For example, you want the user to give you a string of a variable to update. Your program only has the string, so the only way to update the associated global name is to use the locals() dictionary.
Video locals()
So, how does the syntax formally look like?
Syntax locals()
You use the locals() method without an argument.
Syntax:
locals() # Returns dictionary of name --> object pairs defined in your local scope.| Arguments | - | – |
| Return Value | dict | Returns the dictionary of (name –> object) mappings of all names you can use in the local scope—e.g., within a function or a method. This includes the name you defined in the local scope but not the names defined in the global scope. |
Python locals() Return Value
Returns the dictionary of (name –> object) mappings of all names you can use in the local scope—e.g., within a function or a method. This includes the name you defined in the local scope but not the names defined in the global scope.
l = locals() print(type(l)) # <class 'dict'>
Python locals() Interactive Shell Exercise
Let’s have a practical example how to use the locals() function in a real application that asks the user to type in any variable to check its current value:
Exercise: Guess the output of this code snippet—which name is in the locals() dictionary? Then run the code & check your result!
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Solution: The interactive exercise results in the locals dictionary with the name 'Liz' because when locals() is called, the most local definition of the name was 'Liz'.
Summary
Python’s locals() function returns a dictionary of name --> object mappings.
- The names are the ones defined locally, i.e., defined within your current local scope (e.g., functions).
- The objects are the values associated to these names.
For example, if you set variable x = [1, 2, 3], the locals() dictionary will contain a name 'x' and an object reference to [1, 2, 3].
def f():
x = [1, 2, 3]
print(locals())
x = 42
f()
# {'x': [1, 2, 3]}I hope you enjoyed the article! To improve your Python education, you may want to join the popular free Finxter Email Academy:
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