Lazy Python Argument Parsing

November 2nd, 2022
python, tech
When I'm writing real Python programs I use argparse. When I'm writing quick scripts, I destructure sys.argv[1:]. For example:

width, depth, height = sys.argv[1:]
...

Or, if I need to import the file:

def start(width, depth, height):
  ...

if __name__ == '__main__':
  start(*sys.argv[1:])

This is a very simple way of handling positional arguments. It ignores sys.argv[0] which is likely the name of the script, and then assigns the remaining arguments to the variables. If I provide the wrong number of arguments it's a bit shouty, but it's clear enough for a quick script and does remind me of the intended arguments:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "example.py", line 2, in 
    width, depth, height = sys.argv[1:]
ValueError: too many values to unpack (expected 3)

Comment via: facebook, lesswrong, substack

Recent posts on blogs I like:

On Apologizing To Kids

Everyone is so weird about apologizing to children.

via Thing of Things August 25, 2025

Against the Teapot Hold in Contra Dancing

The teapot hold is the most dangerous common contra dancing figure, so I’ve been avoiding it. The teapot hold, sometimes called a "courtesy turn hold,” requires one dancer to connect with their hand behind their back. When I realized I could avoid put…

via Emma Azelborn August 25, 2025

Little Puppy

She's very little and she likes to do stuff with me. She also likes to bark around and run around and jump around. She also likes to go to places with me and that's all I have.

via Nora Wise's Blog Posts August 23, 2025

more     (via openring)