How can I retrieve variable names when passing arguments to a Python function?

Retrieving Variable Name Arguments

When passing variables as arguments to a function, it may be desirable to access their original names. However, by default, Python does not provide a straightforward mechanism for this.

Hacking the Inspect Module

To obtain variable names, you can exploit Python's inspect module, although it's crucial to exercise caution as this approach can lead to unexpected behavior.

Consider the following function:

<code class="python">import inspect

def foo(a, f, b):
    frame = inspect.currentframe()
    frame = inspect.getouterframes(frame)[1]
    string = inspect.getframeinfo(frame[0]).code_context[0].strip()
    args = string[string.find('(') + 1:-1].split(',')

    names = []
    for i in args:
        if i.find('=') != -1:
            names.append(i.split('=')[1].strip())

        else:
            names.append(i)

    print(names)

def main():
    e = 1
    c = 2
    foo(e, 1000, b=c)

main()</code>

This method inspects the current frame and retrieves the function call string from the outer frame. Then, it extracts a list of arguments, which includes default parameters. By parsing this string, you can obtain the original variable names, as seen in the output:

['e', '1000', 'c']

Limitations and Recommendations

It's imperative to note that employing this approach is not recommended in practice. It can lead to unreliable results and introduce unnecessary complexity. Instead, consider passing the variable names explicitly or using a more appropriate design pattern to achieve your desired functionality.

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