How to Import Input Variable from Another File in Python Without Repeated Prompts

Learn how to ask for participant input just once in your `master.py` script and pass it to other Python files without getting repeated prompts.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/67455634/ asked by the user 'Alexandra Kosachenko' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/15876570/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/67456236/ provided by the user 'KnowledgeGainer' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/13517783/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Simplifying Participant Input Handling in Python Scripts

When building Python applications that require user input, it's common to face the issue of asking for the same input multiple times across different modules. For instance, you might have a main script (let’s call it master.py) that prompts for a participant's name and then calls several other scripts that also need this name. This can lead to confusion or frustration for users who are prompted for their name repeatedly.

In this guide, we'll explore an elegant solution to this problem that allows you to import an input variable from another file without the need for repetitive prompts.

The Problem

Consider the following code from master.py:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this script, the participant variable is set by asking for user input. However, when digit_span.py and other files are executed, they again try to read the participant's name using input(), which leads to repetitive prompts and a suboptimal user experience.

Example of the Complexity

Here is a piece of code from digit_span.py:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Upon running this, every time master.py calls other scripts, it can result in the user being repeatedly asked for the participant's name, breaking the flow of the program.

The Solution

To solve this inefficiency, you can modify your master.py to pass the participant's name as an argument to the other scripts instead of importing it directly. Here’s how you can do it:

Revised master.py

First, modify your master.py:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this revised script:

The participant's name is still asked only once.

The scripts listed in files are executed using subprocess.Popen(), which allows us to pass the input as an argument.

Revised slave.py

Next, you need to modify your slave.py to accept this argument:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of the Changes

Single Input Prompt: The input() function for the participant's name appears only once in the master.py.

Argument Passing: The participant's name is passed as a command-line argument (sys.argv[1]) to slave.py, preventing any further prompts for the name.

File Generation: After running, the check.txt file will contain the participant's name, confirming that master.py successfully passed the variable.

Conclusion

By implementing these changes, you streamline the input process in your Python scripts significantly. Users only need to enter their name once, and your scripts can function smoothly without the annoyance of repeated prompts. This simple adjustment not only enhances usability but also makes your code cleaner and more efficient.

If you're working with Python and dealing with multiple modules that require the same input, remember this method to keep your user experience smooth and frustration-free!