split python source code into multiple files?

Question

I have a code that I wish to split apart into multiple files. In matlab one can simply call a .m file, and as long as it is not defined as anything in particular it

Answer 1

I am researching module usage in python just now and thought I would answer the question Markus asks in the comments above ("How to import variables when they are embedded in modules?") from two perspectives:

1. variable/function, and
2. class property/method.

Here is how I would rewrite the main program f1.py to demonstrate variable reuse for Markus:

import f2
myStorage = f2.useMyVars(0) # initialze class and properties
for i in range(0,10):
    print "Hello, "
    f2.print_world()
    myStorage.setMyVar(i)
    f2.inc_gMyVar()
print "Display class property myVar:", myStorage.getMyVar()
print "Display global variable gMyVar:", f2.get_gMyVar()

Here is how I would rewrite the reusable module f2.py:

# Module: f2.py
# Example 1: functions to store and retrieve global variables
gMyVar = 0
def print_world():
    print "World!"
def get_gMyVar():
    return gMyVar # no need for global statement 
def inc_gMyVar():
    global gMyVar
    gMyVar += 1  

# Example 2: class methods to store and retrieve properties
class useMyVars(object):
    def __init__(self, myVar):
        self.myVar = myVar
    def getMyVar(self):
        return self.myVar
    def setMyVar(self, myVar):
        self.myVar = myVar
    def print_helloWorld(self):
        print "Hello, World!"

When f1.py is executed here is what the output would look like:

%run "f1.py"
Hello, 
World!
Hello, 
World!
Hello, 
World!
Hello, 
World!
Hello, 
World!
Hello, 
World!
Hello, 
World!
Hello, 
World!
Hello, 
World!
Hello, 
World!
Display class property myVar: 9
Display global variable gMyVar: 10

I think the point to Markus would be:

• To reuse a module's code more than once, put your module's code into functions or classes,
• To reuse variables stored as properties in modules, initialize properties within a class and add "getter" and "setter" methods so variables do not have to be copied into the main program,
• To reuse variables stored in modules, initialize the variables and use getter and setter functions. The setter functions would declare the variables as global.