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POIs there a way to check whether function output is assigned to a variable in Python?
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copied!<p>In Python, I'd like to write a function that would pretty-print its results to the console if called by itself (mostly for use interactively or for debugging). For the purpose of this question, let's say it checks the status of something. If I call just</p> <pre><code>check_status() </code></pre> <p>I would like to see something like:</p> <pre><code>Pretty printer status check 0.02v NOTE: This is so totally not written for giant robots ================================= System operational: ... ok Time to ion canon charge is 9m 21s Booster rocket in AFTERBURNER state Range check is optimal Rocket fuel is 10h 19m 40s to depletion Beer served is type WICKSE LAGER, chill optimal Suggested catchphrase is 01_FIGHTING_SPIRIT_GOGOGO Virtual ... on </code></pre> <p>However, I would also like it to pass the output as a list if I call it in the context of a variable assignment:</p> <pre><code>not_robot_stat = check_status() print not_robot_stat >>> {'cond_op': 1, 't_canoncharge': 1342, 'stage_booster': 5, 'range_est_sigma': 0.023, 'fuel_est': 32557154, 'beer_type': 31007, 'beer_temp': 2, 'catchphrase_suggestion': 1023, 'virtual_on': 'hell yes'} </code></pre> <p>So... is there a way to dynamically know, within a function, whether its output is being assigned? I'd like to be able to do this without resorting param passing, or writing another function dedicated for this. I've Googled for a bit, and from what little I can tell it looks like I'd have to resort to playing wth the bytecode. Is that really necessary?</p>

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