How to pass a list as an environment variable?

Question

I use a list as part of a Python program, and wanted to convert that to an environment variable.

So, it\'s like this:

list1 = [\'a.1\',\'b.2\',\'c.3\']
         


        

Answer 1

The rationale

I recommend using JSON if you want to have data structured in an environment variable. JSON is simple to write / read, can be written in a single line, parsers exist, developers know it.

The solution

To test, execute this in your shell:

$ export ENV_LIST_EXAMPLE='["Foo", "bar"]'

Python code to execute in the same shell:

import os
import json

env_list = json.loads(os.environ['ENV_LIST_EXAMPLE'])
print(env_list)
print(type(env_list))

gives

['Foo', 'bar']

Package

Chances are high that you are interested in cfg_load