var_dump.py

import inspect
""" var_dump('vars') module to dump variables (python 3.6+: uses f strings)"""


def var_dump(var_list_str):
    """ print variables in callers scope indicated in space delimited string param"""

    # retrieve information needed on callers frame
    prev_frame = inspect.currentframe().f_back
    frame_info = inspect.getframeinfo(prev_frame)
    module_name = inspect.getmodulename(frame_info.filename)

    output = f"{module_name} line: {frame_info.lineno} in {frame_info.function}()\n   "

    names = prev_frame.f_locals  # local namespace from caller as dict
    var_list = var_list_str.split()
    output += ', '.join([f'{n}: {repr(names[n])}' for n in var_list])

    print(output)


def main():  # test it
    count = 101
    greeting = 'hello'
    amount = 11.11
    a_list = [1, 2, 3]

    var_dump('greeting a_list a_list')
    var_dump('amount count')


if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

# references:
#   ref https://docs.python.org/3/library/inspect.html