# PYFUNC()

> [HTML Version](pyfunc().htm)

_Updated July 2026; see History_

PYFUNC() provides a means to call an external function written in Python version 3.

**PYFUNC (module, funcname \{, arg1, ... argn\})    \! (numeric return value)**

**PYFUNC\$ (module, funcname\{, arg1 ... argn\})    \! (string return value)**

where:

_module_  (String)  \[in\]

filespec (native format) of the module containing the function; (default extension py)

_funcname_  (String)  \[in\]

name of the function to call

_arg1 ... argn_  (any scalar type)  \[in\]

zero or more arguments to the function

PYFUNC uses the Python C interface API to initialize the Python environment. If necessary, certain Python environment variables can be set via the file %MIAME%/pyconfig.ini, formatted as follows:

\[Python\]

;Base directory for Python installation (executable)

HOME=C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Python312-32

;PLATLIBDIR=



The pyconfig.ini file can be eliminated if Python is set up to run from the command or shell prompt without explicit settings.

Unlike other A-Shell function interfaces, the parameters here are all read-only, so if the function is to return anything to caller, it must be done through the return value of the function, either a scalar or an auto-extend array.  Examples:

city\$ = pyfunc\$("./geo.py", "capital\_of", "California")

median = pyfunc(".math.py", "median", 5, 23, 15, 100, 44, 11)

dimx ary(0), b, 2, auto\_extend

...

ary() = pyfunc("./mymod.py", "myfunc", 10, 20, 30)



Warning: this interface is still in the experimental stage. We're not yet sure if there's really any application for it, and there are a number of complexities that will need to be sorted out. Developers are advised to provide feedback to us before investing too much effort into it.

**History**

2026 July, A-Shell 7.0.1786:  Add support for ellipsis in PYFUNC() argument lists. This is mainly useful for creating wrapper functions, for example:

result = Fn'PYFUNC'Wrapper(status, pymodule\$, pyfunc\$, arg1, arg2)

...



function Fn'PYFUNC'Wrapper(status as i2, pymodule\$ as s0, pyfunc\$ as s0, ...) as f6

    on error goto trap

    .fn = PYFUNC(pymodule\$, pyfunc\$, ...)

    status = 1  \! success

    xputarg @status

    exitfunction

trap:

    status = -err(0)

    .fn = -1

    xputarg @status

endfunction