python: getting user input

Question

i am running this:

import csv
import sys
reader = csv.reader(open(sys.argv[0], "rb"))
for row in reader:
    print row

and i get this in response:

['import csv']
['import sys']
['reader = csv.reader(open(sys.argv[0]', ' "rb"))']
['for row in reader:']
['    print row']
>>> 

for the sys.argv[0] i would like it to prompt me to enter a filename.

how do i get it to prompt me to enter a filename?

Answer 1

Use the raw_input() function to get input from users:

print "Enter a file name:",
filename = raw_input()

or just:

filename = raw_input('Enter a file name: ')

Answer 2

sys.argv[0] is not the first argument but the filename of the python program you are currently executing. I think you want sys.argv[1]