how to parse command line arguments in python

Command line arguments are a powerful way to interact with Python scripts, allowing users to provide inputs and customize script behavior. In this tutorial, we'll explore how to parse command line arguments in Python using the argparse module, which provides a flexible and convenient way to handle command line arguments.
argparse simplifies the process of parsing command line arguments, providing a structured and user-friendly interface. It automatically generates help messages, enforces argument types, and handles default values.
First, ensure you have the argparse module available by importing it in your script:
Create an ArgumentParser object to define and manage the script's command line interface:
Add arguments to the parser using the add_argument method. Let's create a simple example with a required argument and an optional one:
In this example:
Once arguments are defined, use the parse_args() method to parse the command line:
Access the values of the parsed arguments through the args object:
Here's a complete script:
To run the script, open a terminal and execute:
With the argparse module, you can easily create robust and user-friendly command line interfaces for your Python scripts. Experiment with additional features, such as specifying argument types, setting default values, and handling mutually exclusive arguments, to tailor the interface to your specific needs.
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