Nameerror: name 'kwargs' is not defined

Nameerror: name ‘kwargs’ is not defined

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Are you encountering and struggling to fix the Python nameerror: name ‘kwargs’ is not defined error message?

Well, keep on reading because we can help you to get rid of this error.

In this article, we’ll explore what this error means and why it occurs in your code.

And certainly, we have a comprehensive guide that will aid you to troubleshoot the nameerror name ‘kwargs’ is not defined.

What is “kwargs”?

The **kwargs is a special syntax in Python for passing a variable number of keyword arguments to a function. That allows you to pass any number of keyword arguments to the function.

The special syntax kwargs is used with double star.

The reason is because the double star allows us to pass through keyword arguments (and any number of them).

Kwargs allows you to pass keyworded variable length of arguments to a function.

You should use kwargs if you want to handle named arguments in a function.

For example:

def my_function(**kwargs):
    for key, value in kwargs.items():
        print(f"{key} = {value}")

my_function(a=10, b=20, c=30, d=40, e=50)

Output:

a = 10
b = 20
c = 30
d = 40
e = 50

What is “nameerror name ‘kwargs’ is not defined”?

The error message nameerror: name “kwargs” is not defined occurs when we try to use a variable name “kwargs,” but it is not defined, or you haven’t assigned a value in your Python code.

In simple words, this error raised if you are trying to use “kwargs” without defining it before using it technically, it will throw a nameerror.

For example:

def sample_function():
    print(kwargs)

sample_function()

If you try to run to run this code, you’ll get the following error:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\pies-pc2\PycharmProjects\pythonProject\main.py", line 4, in <module>
    my_function()
  File "C:\Users\pies-pc2\PycharmProjects\pythonProject\main.py", line 2, in my_function
    print(kwargs)
          ^^^^^^
NameError: name 'kwargs' is not defined

As you can see, the function sample_function tries to print the value of the variable kwargs. However, the kwargs is not defined within the function or in the scope.

It is important to note that kwargs is just a commonly used name for the dictionary of keyword arguments in a function definition that uses **kwargs, but it is not a reserved keyword in Python.

Why does “name ‘kwargs’ is not defined” occur?

This error message can be raised due to several factors, that include the following:

❌ If you misspelled or Incorrect Variable Names.

❌ Syntax Errors.

❌ There’s an undefined keyword arguments.

❌ Incorrect scope of variables.

❌ Importing modules with incorrect names.

How to fix the “nameerror: name ‘kwargs’ is not defined”?

To fix the Python nameerror name ‘kwargs’ is not defined error, ensure that the variable kwargs is defined before using it in your code.

The following are the different solutions that you can use to resolve this error:

1. Define “kwargs” before using it

Ensure that the variable kwargs is defined before you will use it in your code.

For example:

def sample_function():
    kwargs = {'a':10, 'b':20, 'c':30, 'd':40, 'e':50}
    print(kwargs)

sample_function()

Output:

{'a': 10, 'b': 20, 'c': 30, 'd': 40, 'e': 50}

On the other hand, you can define “kwargs” as an empty dictionary, jus like for example:

kwargs = {}

By initializing “kwargs” as an empty dictionary, it will provide a valid object to store keyword arguments.
This solution works when you don’t have any specific keyword arguments to pass.

2. Pass ‘kwargs’ as an argument

You can pass “kwargs” as an argument when calling a function.

So, instead of relying on the presence of “kwargs” globally, you can explicitly pass it as an argument when calling the function.

This ensures “kwargs” is defined and accessible within the function.

def sample_function(**kwargs):
    # Accessing the values in kwargs
    for key, value in kwargs.items():
        print(f"{key}: {value}")

# Calling the function with keyword arguments
sample_function(kwargs={'Website': 'Itsourcecode', 'visitors': 3000000, 'Offer': 'Itsourcecode provide free tutorials and sourcecode'})

Output:

kwargs: {'Website': 'Itsourcecode', 'visitors': 3000000, 'Offer': 'Itsourcecode provide free tutorials and sourcecode'}

3. Use **kwargs in a function definition

When you are trying to use “kwargs” as a dictionary of keyword arguments in a function definition.

You can use the **kwargs syntax in the function definition and ensure to pass keyword arguments when calling the function.

For example:

def sample_function(**kwargs):
    for key, value in kwargs.items():
        print(f"{key} = {value}")

sample_function(a=100, b=200, c=300, d=400, e=500)

Output:

a = 100
b = 200
c = 300
d = 400
e = 500

4. Define ‘kwargs’ as a local variable

You can define “kwargs” as a local variable within the function.

It avoids relying on a global “kwargs” variable and ensures it is accessible within the function scope.

For example:

def sample_function():
    kwargs = {'Website': 'Itsourcecode', 'visitors': 3000000, 'Offer': 'Itsourcecode provide free tutorials and sourcecode'}

    # Accessing the values in kwargs
    for key, value in kwargs.items():
        print(f"{key}: {value}")

# Calling the function
sample_function()

Output:

Website: Itsourcecode
visitors: 3000000
Offer: Itsourcecode provide free tutorials and sourcecode

Conclusion

In conclusion, the error message nameerror: name “kwargs” is not defined occurs when we try to use a variable name “kwargs,” but it is not defined, or you haven’t assigned a value in your Python code.

To resolve the error, ensure that the variable kwargs is defined before using it in your code.

This article discusses what this error is all about and already provides different solutions to help you fix this error.

You could also check out other “nameerror” articles that may help you in the future if you encounter them.

We are hoping that this article helps you fix the error. Thank you for reading itsourcecoders 😊

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