Python interpreters and Alias's

Question

Is there any mechanism similar to alias's (with something like BASH) that can be used in Ipython or the Python Interpreter?

For instance if I find myself frequently doing something like:

var = urllib2.urlopen('http://programmers.stackexchange.com')

But I don't want to continually type out those strings.

Is there any method of (Persistently between exits) shortening the request other than writing a script for it?

Answer 1

No, but in your interpreter, write this:

def pse_url():
    global var
    var = urllib2.urlopen('http://programmers.stackexchange.com')

Then, write pse_url() whenever you need to affect your variable. It would be cleaner to not use a global variable:

var = pse_url()

If you have many such utilities, put them in your own module and load them once when you start the REPL.