Python: How to use named variables from one function in other functions

Question

I'm a newbie programmer trying to make a program, using Python 3.3.2, that has a main() function which calls function1(), then loops function2() and function3().

My code generally looks like this:

def function1():
    print("hello")

def function2():
    name = input("Enter name: ")

def function3():
    print(name)

def main():
    function1()
    while True:
        funtion2()
        function3()
        if name == "":
            break

main()

Currently, I get the following error when I run the program and enter a name:

NameError: global name 'name' is not defined

I understand that this is because name is only defined within function2(). How do I make it so that name is defined as a 'global name', or somehow be able to use it within function3() and main().

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Don't try to define it a global variable, return it instead:

def function2():
    name = input("Enter name: ")
    return name

def function3():
    print(function2())

---

If you want to use variables defined in function to be available across all functions then use a class:

class A(object):

   def function1(self):
       print("hello")

   def function2(self):
       self.name = input("Enter name: ")

   def function3():
       print(self.name)

   def main(self):  
       self.function1()
       while True:
          funtion2()
          function3()
          if not self.name:
              break

A().main()