How can I parse a class attribute for its name?

Question

I apologize if my terminology is incorrect. I am trying to get the name of the function from an API return. For example, the following is what is returned from an API. How do I get the name, the_function?

my_variable = <Function the_function(str,int,uint)>

The type of the above is:

type(my_variable) = <class 'the_class.utils.datatypes.the_function'>

If I only have access to what I have shown, how to I the text string the_function? Is there an easy way to do it besides turning it into a string and using regex or something similar?

Possible duplicate of [How to get a function name as a string in Python?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/251464/how-to-get-a-function-name-as-a-string-in-python) — vishes_shell, Jan 04 '19 at 08:44
If I do `my_variable.__name__`, I get 'the_function' object has no attribute '__name__' — python_crypto_questions, Jan 04 '19 at 08:46
Did you tried to print its `dir` to see what all are its attributes? — Abdul Niyas P M, Jan 04 '19 at 08:48
@Abdul Niyas P M Ahhh that has the answer. There is a `function_identifier` in the `dir` that gives me what I need. Is this normal? — python_crypto_questions, Jan 04 '19 at 08:52
You can't do `my_variable = `, this is not correct syntax. `` means nothing to python on its own — Ayxan Haqverdili, Jan 04 '19 at 08:52
@python_crypto_questions Yes. Always use [dir](https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html#dir) if you have no idea what all are the attributes does the object have. — Abdul Niyas P M, Jan 04 '19 at 09:00

U12-Forward · Answer 1 · 2019-01-04T08:47:33.903

1

Use __name__ argument:

def yourfunction():
    pass

print(yourfunction.__name__)

Then now you'll get expected output.

edited Jan 04 '19 at 08:47

answered Jan 04 '19 at 08:45

U12-Forward

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If I do `my_variable.__name__`, I get 'the_function' object has no attribute '__name__' – python_crypto_questions Jan 04 '19 at 08:46
@python_crypto_questions See: [someone answers my question](https://stackoverflow.com/help/someone-answers) – U12-Forward Jan 04 '19 at 08:48

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 04 '19 at 08:45

1

If you have access to that function through literally any variable, you can use .__name__:

 >>> def the_function():
...     pass
... 
>>> the_function.__name__
'the_function'
>>> foo = the_function
>>> foo.__name__
'the_function'

answered Jan 04 '19 at 08:45

Ayxan Haqverdili

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If I do `my_variable.__name__`, I get 'the_function' object has no attribute '__name__' – python_crypto_questions Jan 04 '19 at 08:46
@python_crypto_questions What's `variable` in that context? – Ayxan Haqverdili Jan 04 '19 at 08:48
1

@python_crypto_questions please accept the answer if it was useful – Ayxan Haqverdili Jan 04 '19 at 08:57

How can I parse a class attribute for its name?

2 Answers2