How to set a variable by its name in Python?
<p>EDIT 2 : since so many people are crying against the bad design this usecase can reveal. Readers of these question and answers should think twice before using it</p>

<p>I've trying to set a variable (not property) by it's name in Python :</p>

<pre><code>foo = 'bar'
thefunctionimlookingfor('foo', 'baz')
print foot #should print baz
</code></pre>

<p>PS : the function to access a variable by its name (without eval) would be a plus !</p>

<p>EDIT : I do know dictionary exists, this kind of usage is discouraged, I've choose to use it for a very specific purpose (config file modification according to environment), that will let my code easier to read.</p>
