Storing the configuration in PY files

The PY file format means using Python code as the configuration file as well as the language to implement the application. We will have a configuration file that's simply a module; the configuration is written in the Python syntax. This removes the need to parse the module.

Using Python gives us a number of design considerations. We have two overall strategies to use Python as the configuration file:

• A top-level script: In this case, the configuration file is simply the top-most main program

• An exec() import: In this case, our configuration file provides parameter values that are collected into module global variables

We can design a top-level script file that looks like the following code:

from simulator import *
def simulate_SomeStrategy_Flat():
    dealer_rule= Hit17()
    split_rule= NoReSplitAces()
    table= Table( decks=6, limit=50, dealer=dealer_rule,
        split=split_rule, payout=(3,2) )
    player_rule= SomeStrategy()
    betting_rule= Flat...