Argparse Python Tutorial

prog.py

# The recommended command-line parsing module in the Python standard library
# Read the document here 
# https://docs.python.org/2/howto/argparse.html

"""Tutorial of using Argparse"""

import argparse
parser = argparse.ArgumentParser()

## Positional argument
parser.add_argument("square", help="display a square of a given number")

## Optional argument

# --verbose used like a flag
parser.add_argument("--verbose", help="increase output verbosity",
                    action="store_true")
# Short option
# parser.add_argument("-v", "--verbose", help="increase output verbosity",
#                    action="store_true")

args = parser.parse_args()

print(args.square ** 2)

if args.verbose: 
  print("Verbosity is turned on")  
  

## Running on command-line  
$ python prog.py --help
usage: prog.py [-h] [-v]

optional arguments:
  -h, --help     show this help message and exit
  -v, --verbose  increase output verbosity