Passing many variables as one variable in python

Question

I have a list of variables that I want to send to my function. (so the function works based on the values on those variables).

One way is to pass each variable separately in the function like this:

def my_function(var1, var2, var3, var4, ..., varn):
   output = var1 + var2 + var3 + var4 + .... + varn

However, I wonder if I can write such a thing:

def my_function(parameters):
    output = parameters.var1 + parameters.var2 + ... + parameters.varn

That is, somehow is there any way to wrap all variables in one variable, and then call them like this?

I know the above python codes are not correct, I just want to express my question.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

There are many options. You have to determine which way fits your case.

Option 1. Getting multiple arguments by a single asterisk

def my_function(*args):
    output = sum(args)

    # SAME WITH
    # output = args[0] + args[1] + ... + args[n]
    #
    # PASSING ARGUMENTS EXAMPLE
    # my_function(10, 20, 10, 50)

Option 2. Getting keyword arguments by double asterisk

def my_function(**kwargs):
    output = sum(kwargs.values())
    
    # SAME WITH
    # output = kwargs["var0"] + kwargs["var1"] + ... + kwargs["varn"]
    #
    # PASSING ARGUMENTS EXAMPLE
    # my_function(var0=10, var1=20, var2=15)

Option 3. Getting an argument as a list

def my_function(list_arg):
    output = sum(list_arg)

    # SAME WITH
    # output = list_arg[0] + list_arg[1] + ... + list_arg[n]
    #
    # PASSING ARGUMENTS EXAMPLE
    # my_function([1, 10, 3, -10])

Option 4. Getting an argument as a dictionary

def my_function(dict_arg):
    output = sum(dict_arg.values())

    # SAME WITH
    # output = kwargs["var0"] + kwargs["var1"] + ... + kwargs["varn"]
    #
    # PASSING ARGUMENTS EXAMPLE
    # my_function({"var0":5, "var1":10, "var2":3})