How to use setattr if value is not single?

Question

I want to use setattr to create a plot:

    import numpy as np
    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

    x = np.random.rand(10)
    y = np.random.rand(10)

    # I want this:
    # plt.scatter(x, y)
    setattr(plt, "scatter", [HOW TO PASS X AND Y])

Since value I want to pass is not single, how should I do it? Basically, this should be the result: plt.scatter(x, y)

The operation you want to perform is not an attribute-setting operation. Why are you using `setattr`? — user2357112, May 22 '19 at 02:49
@user2357112 I need to be able to set the plot type dynamically, and I am trying to avoid having a super long if-else code. getattr(plt, 'scatter')(x, y) is the answer that I need. — ivanacorovic, May 22 '19 at 03:13

gmds · Accepted Answer · 2019-05-22T03:14:34.080

2

I think what you are looking for is getattr. In this case, it will return a Callable, so you can just treat it like a function, like this:

getattr(plt, 'scatter')(x, y)

Is the same as this:

plt.scatter(x, y)

Using setattr in that way would be more akin to plt.scatter = (x, y), which I don't think is what you want to do.

edited May 22 '19 at 03:14

answered May 22 '19 at 02:54

gmds

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score 1 · Answer 2 · answered May 22 '19 at 02:57

1

You're not setting an attribute, but instead calling one.

getattr(plt, some_func)(x, y)

will call

plt.some_func(x, y)

So, in your case, you want to run

getattr(plt, 'scatter')(x, y)

answered May 22 '19 at 02:57

Alec

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How to use setattr if value is not single?

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