Using a Variable to Identify an Instance
 

I'd like to set up something like this:

a=0

class b:

 def__init__(self, foo):

  self.foo = foo

def create():

 global a

 a=a+1

 a=b("FOO")

Where the number 1 will define the instance (I'm not sure if define is the write word, whatever you put before the equals sign when your creating an instance)

The problem is, I can't. Obviously a would identify the instance instead of 1. I tried using dictionaries, but again the computer took it leterally - d{x} was the identity, not 1. Any suggestions?
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Re: Using a Variable to Identify an Instance
 

Well, I'm a little confused. In this case, do you want to create an instance of class b with foo == 1?

If so, then you would do this:

class b:

   def __init__(self, foo)

       self.foo = foo



a = b(foo=1)  # Create instance of b class, assign it to a.

or even shorter,

a = b(1)  # Python will automagically assign self = b and foo = 1.

Some other thoughts:

(1) It's best to make all your classes the 'new style' class

class b(object): # this inherits from Python's 'object' base class

rather than

class b:

because it will allow things like public properties. You need something like Python 2.3 or higher to use new-style classes.

(2) By convention, class names are capitalized.

class B(object):

(3) Global variables are like garlic: best used sparingly.

Hope it helps,
Jeff