argparse - optional argument without prefix

Question

I need a simple script that accepts either ./x start or ./x stop. And start and stop should have their own entries in the help menu.

This doesn't seem super-doable with argparse.

I get close with

parser.add_argument('--start', action='store_true', help='stuff')
parser.add_argument('--stop', action='store_true', help='stuff2')

but, this requires preceding dashes before each argument.

Is there a way to do this without sub-commands? (Especially since bothstart and stop accept the same set of optional flags).

`add_argument('foobar', choices=['start', 'stop'], help='a positional that accepts one of two words')` — hpaulj, Mar 20 '20 at 04:38
@hpaulj: why won't you add it as an answer to get accepted by @Roymunson? — sophros, Apr 01 '20 at 09:16

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 01 '20 at 16:37

2

parser.add_argument('foobar', choices=['start', 'stop'], 
    help='a positional that accepts one of two words')

answered Apr 01 '20 at 16:37

hpaulj

1 Answers1