[Tutor] Question about why a list variable is apparently global.

[boB Stepp]

Python 2.4.4
Solaris 10

#!/usr/bin/env python

from Tkinter import *

def printLabel():
    print "Button number ", var.get(), " was pressed."
    print "You selected this option:", l[var.get() - 1][0]

root = Tk()
root.title("ROI List Creator")
root.geometry(newGeometry='225x230+900+300')
root.tk_setPalette(background='gray')

buttonNumber = []
l = [("Brain_Partial", 1), ("Brain_Whole", 2),
                        ("Head & Neck", 3), ("Chest", 4), ("Breast_Whole", 5),
                        ("Breast_Partial", 6), ("Abdomen", 7), ("Pelvis", 8),
                        ("Prostate", 9)]
var = IntVar()
for text, value in l:
    buttonNumber.append(Radiobutton(root, text = text, value = value,
                    command=printLabel, variable = var).pack(anchor=W))
var.set(5)
print "The button's value is: ", var.get()
root.update()
print "The geometry info is: ", root.winfo_geometry()
print "The screen width is: ", root.winfo_screenwidth()
print "The screen height is: ", root.winfo_screenheight()
root.mainloop()

First, I continue to "Easter Egg Hunt" in the sweet land of Python,
and now Tkinter. So what I actually know is quite a hodgepodge at this
time.

The function above, printLabel(), will eventually read a file of names
anatomical structures based upon the user's radiobutton selection and
populate those names into a ROI List in our planning software. But for
now I am mostly focused on designing the small radiobutton window and
getting it to do what I expect. I am totally new to Tkinter, but it
seems much more manageable than what our planning software provides
for scripting GUIs.

First question: How can the printLabel() function see the list
variable, l, defined outside of this function? I thought that
functions only had access to variables local to the function and
whatever else is passed to it during the function call.

Second: Will the statements near the end that return the display
screen's width and height be a reliable way of determining the user's
actual monitor settings? My intent is to use this information to
appropriately scale and position windows; not only in this particular
simple window, but in others to come which will potentially be large
and complex. I have tested this on two different sized monitors where
I work and so far it has given the correct results.

Third: I am always open to stylistic comments and how to be more pythonic!

Fourth: And perhaps this should go into a new thread, I am not sure I
understand the full intent and use of Tkinter's Variable class. Any
clarification on this would be welcome as well.

Thanks in advance!

-- 
boB