Arguments in the main() Function in Python

1. Python main() Function
2. Arguments in the main() Function in Python
3. Conclusion

At the end of this tutorial, we should have learned whether or not it is good practice to have arguments inside main().

Python main() Function

In Python, the main() function is primarily applicable when we want to execute a function. To execute that function, we first need to define the function, which is where we will need to define the main() function.

In situations like this, however, the main() function is mainly a naming convention, such that we can switch the main with another name, and the function will execute just fine.

Look at the example image below where we have defined the main() function:

You will see that in the second image, we switched the main name to alpha, and we can see that the function executes just fine.

Arguments in the main() Function in Python

Having arguments inside the main() function is not a bad practice. It is a question of why you must have arguments inside the main() function.

In the image below, we have declared a variable, and it prints the results:

We can also declare the same variable using the main() function, as seen in the image below, giving us the same result.

So, we can see here that the first instance is easier to grasp and a better way to write the code because it is briefer. It shows we can declare a simple variable without the need to define main().

However, when we want to import a function into another function, we will need first to define a function.

Let us create two files inside our Python folder, name the first file main.py and the second file new.py. Inside the main.py file, add these snippets:

Code Snippet- main.py:

def main(a):
    print(f"look at this {a}")


print("do you see?")

Then in the new.py file, we will import main.py, add a bit more code and execute both.

Code Snippet- new.py:

import main

print("this is new")
main

When we execute the new.py, it also executes the function from main.py.

Conclusion

So far, we can deduce that having arguments inside the main() function is not a question of good or bad practice; it’s a case of application. Some snippets are straightforward, and we don’t need to include functions, but there are instances where we need functions and having arguments inside these functions is never a bad practice.