How to get/set local variables of a function (from outside) in Python?

Question

If I have a function (in Python 2.5.2) like:

def sample_func():
    a = 78
    b = range(5)
    #c = a + b[2] - x

My questions are:

Answer 1

I'm not sure what your use-case is, but this may work better as a class. You can define the __call__ method to make a class behave like a function.

e.g.:

>>> class sample_func(object):
...     def __init__(self):
...         self.a = 78
...         self.b = range(5)
...     def __call__(self):
...         print self.a, self.b, self.x
... 
>>> f = sample_func()
>>> print f.a
78
>>> f.x = 3
>>> f()
78 [0, 1, 2, 3, 4] 3

(this is based on your toy example, so the code doesn't make much sense. If you give more details, we may be able to provide better advice)