How to Store Multple Dataclass Values and Find New URLs in Python

Discover an efficient way to `store multiple dataclass values` and check for new URLs when scraping webpage data. Learn step-by-step instructions and best practices here!
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How to Store Multiple Dataclass Values and Find New URLs in Python

When you are scraping a webpage for product data, you may face the challenge of storing multiple entries of product information such as URLs, names, images, and prices. In this post, we will tackle the problem of how to efficiently store multiple dataclasses, identify new URLs, and display relevant information when a new product is found.

Understanding the Challenge

Imagine you have written a Python script that scrapes a webpage to extract details about various products. Specifically, you want to track items and ensure that you can print out the important details of any new products that appear on the site.

The key details you want to capture:

Store the name of the product

Store the image URL

Store the price

Store the product link

The Initial Attempt

You initially created a dataclass named Info to encapsulate the product details. However, as you loop through each product found on the webpage, you struggled to store multiple entries effectively and determine if a new URL was present. Below is a simplified overview of your initial code:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Solution: Using a List to Store Multiple Instances

The first step in resolving this issue is to store multiple instances of the Info dataclass in a list, allowing you to loop through all products and store their details efficiently.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Modify the Function to Return a List of Products:
Change your from_page() function to create a list of Info instances instead of returning a single instance.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Main Function Loop:
In your main loop, iterate over the get_all_products list to check for new URLs and print their details if they are not already stored in your tracking set.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By utilizing a list to store multiple instances of your Info dataclass and iterating through that list to check for new URLs, you can not only efficiently manage your data but also provide timely notifications of newly available products. This approach enhances both the functionality and usability of your scraping script.

Happy coding, and may your scraping endeavors yield fruitful results!