Using a list in multiple Functions

Question

Is it possible to use a list created in one function in a separate function?

I've created a list of discs in this function:

def create_discs():

    disc_list=['disc0', 'disc1', 'disc2']

I would then like to use this list in a different function

def move_discs

    cmds.move(disc_list[1], 0, 0, 5)

I get this error when trying to do so:

NameError: file <maya console> line 48: global name 'disc_list' is not defined #

I'm using Autodesk Maya

Answer 1

If you don't want to use Classes to maintain state, then you may want to have a global variable or you can return the list from create_list().

Using global variable:

disc_list = []

def create_list():
    global disc_list

    disc_list = ['disc0', 'disc1', 'disc2']

def move_discs
    cmds.move(disc_list[1], 0, 0, 5)

Note that using global variables is not encouraged.

Returning list from create_list():

def create_list():
    return ['disc0', 'disc1', 'disc2']

def move_discs():
    disc_list = create_list()
    cmds.move(disc_list[1], 0, 0, 5)

But I don't think this will of much help to you as you probably need to keep the state of your list throughout the program.