Using Variables for Class Names in Python?

Question

I want to know how to use variables for objects and function names in Python. In PHP, you can do this:

$className = \"MyClass\";

$newObject = new $className();
         


        

Answer 1

If you have this:

class MyClass:
    def __init__(self):
        print "MyClass"

Then you usually do this:

>>> x = MyClass()
MyClass

But you could also do this, which is what I think you're asking:

>>> a = "MyClass"
>>> y = eval(a)()
MyClass

But, be very careful about where you get the string that you use "eval()" on -- if it's come from the user, you're essentially creating an enormous security hole.

Update: Using type() as shown in coleifer's answer is far superior to this solution.