python: inserting a variable value into a variable name

Question

I would like to insert the value of a variable into the name of another variable in python. In a shell script this would be something like:

for n in `more list`  
do  
var_$n = some_calculation  
done

but I can't see how to do a similar thing in python. Is there a way or should I be using an alternative approach?
thanks,
Andy

Answer 1

a dict is one way to maintain an associative array.

dict = {}
dict[str] = calc();

Answer 2

Don't do it! Having variable names that change depending on the value of a variable leads to unnecessary complications. A cleaner way is to use a dictionary:

vr={}
for n in alist:
    vr[n]=some_calculation()

Answer 3

Maybe not perfect, but two possible solutions:

>>> name = "var_1"
>>> locals()[name] = 5
>>> print var_1
5
>>> exec(name + "= 6")
>>> print var_1
6

Answer 4

for n in more_list:
    globals()["var_"+str(n)]=some_calculation