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@jirihnidek
Last active February 17, 2024 14:18
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Python example of using argparse sub-parser, sub-commands and sub-sub-commands
"""
Example of using sub-parser, sub-commands and sub-sub-commands :-)
"""
import argparse
def main(args):
"""
Just do something
"""
print(args)
if __name__ == '__main__':
# create the top-level parser
parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(prog='PROG')
parser.add_argument('--foo', action='store_true', help='foo is great option')
# create sub-parser
sub_parsers = parser.add_subparsers(help='sub-command help')
# create the parser for the "ahoy" sub-command
parser_ahoy = sub_parsers.add_parser('ahoy', help='ahoy is cool sub-command')
parser_ahoy.add_argument('--bar', type=int, help='bar is useful option')
# create the parser for the "booo" sub-command
parser_booo = sub_parsers.add_parser('booo', help='booo is also cool sub-command')
parser_booo.add_argument('--baz', choices='XYZ', help='baz is another option')
parser_booo.add_argument('--zaz', action='store_const', const=True, help='zaz is French singer')
# create the parse for the "cool" sub-command
parser_cool = sub_parsers.add_parser('cool', help='cools is sub-command with sub-commands')
parser_cool.add_argument('--sas', type=str, help='sas are bad asses')
# create sub-parser for sub-command cool
cool_sub_parsers = parser_cool.add_subparsers(help='sub-sub-command help')
# create sub-command "crazy" for sub-command cool
parser_crazy = cool_sub_parsers.add_parser('crazy', help='it is crazy sub-sub-command')
parser_crazy.add_argument('--fool', action='store_const', const=True, help='it is foolish option')
parser_normal = cool_sub_parsers.add_parser('normal', help='it is normal sub-sub-command')
parser_normal.add_argument('--common', action='store_const', const=True, help='it is common option')
args = parser.parse_args()
main(args)
@jirihnidek
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It is possible to use only one sub-command. Example

[jiri@localhost ~]$ python ./subcommands.py cool crazy --fool normal --common
usage: PROG [-h] [--foo] {ahoy,booo,cool} ...
PROG: error: unrecognized arguments: normal --common

[jiri@localhost ~]$ python ./subcommands.py cool crazy --fool
Namespace(foo=False, sas=None, fool=True)

[jiri@localhost ~]$ python ./subcommands.py cool normal --common
Namespace(foo=False, sas=None, common=True)

@jirihnidek
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