Initialize only once

Question

I've got a couple of scripts (named one.py and two.py) circularly calling each other using execfile. The one.py (which is the one to start) has some code (initialize) that I would like to execute only once.

I would like to continue using execfile if possible

How could I achieve this ?

#one.py
def initialize():         
    # initializing

initialize()

# do the main work

execfile('two.py')

----------------------------

#two.py

# do some work

execfile('one.py')

Either create a third file which does the initialization and calls two.py, or use some storage (e.g. database, temporary file), which stores the state "was intialized" or "was not initialized". — Jesper Freesbug, Feb 06 '16 at 22:26
Why do you want to use [**`execfile`**](https://docs.python.org/2/library/functions.html#execfile)? — Peter Wood, Feb 06 '16 at 22:30

PdevG · Answer 1 · 2016-02-06T22:21:01.433

2

Why not create a third file zero.py which starts the initializing and then executes one.py who then executes the loop.

 #zero.py
 def initialize():
# do some initializing

initialize()

execfile('one.py')

On another note there should probably be better ways to run your code then this loop of execfile.

edited Feb 06 '16 at 22:21

answered Feb 06 '16 at 22:18

PdevG

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Unfortunately the initialize function calls other functions and uses variables that reside in one.py – user1530405 Feb 06 '16 at 22:27
Could you import one.py in zero.py and then use these variables and functions? – PdevG Feb 06 '16 at 22:28
Then create a temporary file and save your state there. – Jesper Freesbug Feb 06 '16 at 22:28

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 06 '16 at 22:27

Maybe you could define a class that runs your tasks?

For instance, something like:

from itertools import cycle

class TaskRunner(object):

    def __init__(self):
        self.tasks = ('one.py', 'two.py')

        # do some initializing

    def run_continuously(self):
        for filepath in cycle(self.tasks):
            execfile(filepath)


# to run:
task_runner = TaskRunner()
tsak_runner.run()

----------------------------

#one.py

# do the main work (without initializing)


----------------------------

#two.py

# do some work

----------------------------

Initialize only once

2 Answers2