Python Get Returned Object From Called Module

Question

Given this module (sample.py):

def calculation(x):
   r = x + 1
   return r

In my main .py file in Spyder, I'm calling it like this:

import sample
b = sample.calculation(2)

My (dumb) question is: how to I access r, as defined in the sample module, for other calculations in the main .py file from which I'm calling sample?

I want to continue by doing something like:

a = r/2

in the main .py file after calling

sample.calculation(2)

Update:

I would assume b would result in the number 3. But what if the module returns 2 different numbers (objects)? How do I access them individually?

Answer 1

My (dumb) question is: how to I access r, as defined in the sample module, for other calculations in the main .py file from which I'm calling sample?

You use that b variable you assigned the value to.

But what if the module returns 2 different numbers (objects)? How do I access them individually?

If you mean the function does this:

def return_two_things():
    return 1, 2

then you assign them to two variables:

a, b = module.return_two_things()

If you mean the function does this:

def wrong_way():
    return 1
    return 2

then your function is wrong, and you have misunderstood how return statements work. A function ends as soon as it executes a return ; it does not continue on to return more things.

Answer 2

Accessing another module's variable is possible by making it global. But it is not a good practice and often avoided. You can do this instead

import sample
r = sample.calculation(2)

This way, you can use the same variable name 'r' but it is now a local variable.

For your second question about returning multiple objects from a module, you can do this

def module1(x):
    return x+1,x+2

a,b = module1(5)
#a has 5+1 = 6 
#b has 5+2 = 7