How to use command line arguments in a Python script with sys.argv and argparse

This video tutorial explores how to use command line arguments in Python scripts. It begins with a basic introduction to sys.argv, demonstrating how to access and use command line arguments. The tutorial then highlights the limitations of sys.argv for complex tasks and introduces the argparse module as a more robust solution. Through examples, it shows how argparse simplifies argument handling, provides automatic help messages, and supports both positional and optional arguments. The video concludes by comparing the benefits of using argparse over sys.argv.

What is the first item in the list of arguments when using sys.argv?

• A default value

• The last command line argument

• The name of the script

• The first command line argument

How are arguments separated when passed via the command line?

• By semicolons

• By commas

• By colons

• By spaces

What is a limitation of using sys.argv for handling command line arguments?

• It automatically provides help prompts

• It requires manual handling of arguments

• It supports only one argument

• It is not available in Python

What is the primary advantage of using argparse over sys.argv?

• It requires more code

• It only works with Python 3

• It provides automatic help and usage prompts

• It is less flexible

How does argparse differentiate between positional and optional arguments?

• By their length

• By their data type

• By the presence of dashes

• By the order they are defined

What happens when you run a script with argparse and no arguments?

• It asks for user input

• It shows a usage prompt

• It runs with default values

• It crashes

Which module is recommended for handling complex command line arguments in Python?

• re

• argparse

• os

• sys