Python-How to get the value from tkinter widget and assign it to a variable

Question

from tkinter import *
import tkinter as tk
import pyodbc

root1 = tk.Tk()

label1 = tk.Label(root1, text='product A')
entry1 = tk.Entry(root1)

label1.pack(side = tk.TOP)
entry1.pack()
input1= StringVar()
input1.set(entry1.get())
print (input1)

This code is used to assign the value from the input textbox widget to a variable-Input1. However,the value I get is:PY_VAR0 instead of the text in Entry1.

I need to print the input text. Why is PY_VAR0 appearing?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

The problem is that you're getting the value of the entry widget before the user has a chance to type anything, so it will always be the empty string.

If you wait to do the get until after the user enters something, your code will work fine as-is. Though, I don't see any reason to use a StringVar as it just adds an extra object that serves no real purpose. There's no reason to use a StringVar with an entry widget unless you need the extra features that a StringVar gets you -- namely, variable traces.

The reason you are seeing PY_VAR0 is because you must use the get method to get the value out of an instance of StringVar. Change your statement to print input1.get().

Answer 2

To get the contents of a StringVar call get():

input1.get()

Also, you should bind your StringVar to the Entry otherwise the StringVar won't change with the contents of the Entry widget:

entry1.config(textvariable=input1) 

Or you can bind at construction:

input1 = StringVar()
entry1 = tk.Entry(root1, textvariable=input1)