Python for a PHP user, how do i...?

[David LeBlanc]

[This followup was posted to comp.lang.python and a copy was sent to the 
cited author.]

In article <9dri66$202$1 at news.mty.itesm.mx>, lalo_dominguez at yahoo.com 
says...
> Disclaimer: I am not trying to compare, promote or bash
> PHP nor Python. I want to learn Python and I am curious.
> 
> I am starting with Python, and I like it so far. But I still
> miss some features from PHP. THis might be in python, but I
> havent found them yet. If anyone can help me... :)
> 
> In PHP I can call "variable" functions like:
>   $varName = "PrintDate";
>   $varName(); // calls function "PrintDate"

varName = PrintDate
varName() // calls function PrintDate
 
> Also, I can have variable variables, like:
>   $tempVar = "myVar";
>   $$tempVar = 1;
>   echo $myVar; // echoes "1"

> Can I get metadata of a class ?? for example, the name, my
> parents name, etc ?

yes - see the python docs @ www.python.org

> One thing I _really_ miss is an anotated manual. PHP
> has a great one and that really helps people start with PHP.
> 
> 
> How can I do this in Python ?

Excellent set of docs at www.python.org, also www.diveintopython has a 
tutorial you can download in several formats or browse online.

> thanks in advance
> 
> 
> 
Dave LeBlanc