python function to create a variable

[perkeyone]

is it possible to make a function which will create a variable with a specified or unspecified name?

for example, lets say i want a function which when called will make a new variable and name it with an underscore followed by the date and time it was made. "_jan5,2010@00:43"

then i could set the value of _jan5,2010@00:43 to anything i want

another example, lets say i want to make a function which takes a string as a parameter, then creates a variable by that name.

such that i could do something like this
newVar("dog")
dog=0

 

[Xienoph]

I'm not very familiar with python, but look around for "meta programming" and "reflection."

 

[perkeyone]

thanks xienoph
that definitely seems to be what im looking for,
although now that ive googled the subject im a little more confused,
this seems like it will be a lot harder than i thought,

 

[TheDamien]

"globals()["newVar"] = newValue" will create a new variable in the global namespace. What is the point of all this?

 

[Siretu]

It is not that hard.

def NewVar(name="Var"):
    V = name + date
    exec(V + " = 5")

The variable "date" would be the date. Look through the time module to find the function that gives the format that you want.

You can call the function with or without an argument. If you don't provide an argument, the variable will be called "Var" + date.