Python: function defined in while loop refers to old variable

Question

I have a function that I define in a while loop that is called by code I do not control.

In the following example, access() always returns the value 1. Why? And how can I make access() return the latest value?

while True:
    g = [1,2,3]

    def access():
        return g[0]

    print(access())
    g[0] += 1

The same seems to be true for lambdas. I cannot make g global.

No need for function access to be in the while loop in this case (makes software overly confusing). — DarrylG, Jan 04 '21 at 11:06
@DarrylG An external library possibly calls this function after I passed it to it — 2080, Jan 04 '21 at 11:13
@juanpa.arrivillaga How else could I make it refer to newly generated data inside the loop? — 2080, Jan 04 '21 at 11:38

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 04 '21 at 11:02

4

Because the g variable is always reinitialized to [1,2,3].

Just move it outside the while loop.

g = [1,2,3]
while True:
    .....

answered Jan 04 '21 at 11:02

1 Answers1