How to start a __name__ == '__main__': with specific inputs from another .py file?

Question

I have a main.py in which a

if __name__ == '__main__':

is located to start the whole process. insted a normal def main() i need to use the if __name__ == '__main__': variante, because i am coding in spyder AND using multiprocessing at the same time (which would result in a mess otherwise).

I need to be able to just run this main.py file. (which works just fine, BUT...)

However at the same time i need to be able to call this

if __name__ == '__main__':

from outside by another.py file (lets call it optimize.py) with an optimizing loop to give the main.py different parameters.

is there a way to do this?

Answer 1

Use a function that you call from your if __name__ == '__main__': condition:

Before:

if __name__ == '__main__':
    i = 5 
    j = 20
    m = 99
    # do A with i
    # do B with j
    # do C with m

After:

def start_me(i,j,m):
    # do A with i
    # do B with j
    # do C with m


if __name__ == '__main__':
    i = 5 
    j = 20
    m = 99
    start_me(i,j,m) 

If called directly it works with default parameters, if called from optimizer.py you simly use the function directly and provide parameters as you want.