Python allows you to set custom attributes to most objects, like your bot! By storing things as attributes of the bot object, you can access them anywhere you access your bot. In the discord.py library, these custom attributes are commonly known as "bot variables" and can be a lifesaver if your bot is divided into many different files. An example on how to use custom attributes on your bot is shown below:
bot = commands.Bot(command_prefix="!")
# Set an attribute on our bot
bot.test = "I am accessible everywhere!"
@bot.command()
async def get(ctx: commands.Context):
"""A command to get the current value of `test`."""
# Send what the test attribute is currently set to
await ctx.send(ctx.bot.test)
@bot.command()
async def setval(ctx: commands.Context, *, new_text: str):
"""A command to set a new value of `test`."""
# Here we change the attribute to what was specified in new_text
bot.test = new_textThis all applies to cogs as well! You can set attributes to self as you wish.
Be sure not to overwrite attributes discord.py uses, like cogs or users. Name your attributes carefully!
The with keyword triggers a context manager. Context managers automatically set up and take down data connections, or any other kind of object that implements the magic methods __enter__ and __exit__.
with open("test.txt", "r") as file:
do_things(file)file when the with block exits, so you never have to manually do a file.close(). Most connection types, including file readers and database connections, support this.
For more information, read the official docs, watch Corey Schafer\'s context manager video, or see PEP 343.