title: Python return list from function
body: <p>I have a function that parses a file into a list. I'm trying to return that list so I can use it in other functions. </p>
  
  <pre><code>def splitNet():
      network = []
      for line in open("/home/tom/Dropbox/CN/Python/CW2/network.txt","r").readlines():
          line = line.replace("\r\n", "")
          line = string.split(line, ',')
          line = map(int, line)
          network.append(line)
      return network
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>When I try to print the list outside of the function (for debugging) I get this error:</p>
  
  <pre><code>NameError: name 'network' is not defined
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Is there something simple I am doing wrong or is there a better way to pass variables between functions without using globals?</p>