python - Keeping code DRY when repeatedly referring to command-line options' configuration -

i got raspberry pi, , i'm building reddit api-based application it, using praw library. i'm executing python files using:

sudo python3 main.py 

however, pass arguments file command line (so can run app silently passing argument silent example), , know can sys.argv[0], sys.argv[1], etc...

my problem how while following dry -- don't repeat -- in referring configuration established options.

this portion of code:

def init(): if (len(sys.argv) >= 1):     global semisilent     global silent     arg in sys.argv:         if arg == "semisilent":             semisilent = true         if arg == "silent":             silent = true  print ("--------[ reddipi v0.1 ]--------\n")  if silent:     print ("   ++running in silent mode++   \n") elif semisilent:     print ("++running in semi-silent mode++ \n") else:     print ("      logging in reddit      ")     print ("              ....              ") global r r = oauth.login()  if not silent:     print ("        login successful        \n")  if not silent , not semisilent:     print ("     connecting database     ")     print ("              ....              ") db.init(tablename) if not silent:     print ("     connection successful      \n")  if not silent , not semisilent:     global sub_name     q_sub = input("      use custom subreddit?     \n")     if (q_sub[0]=="y"):         q_sub = input("     enter custom subreddit:    \n")         if ((len(q_sub)==0) or (q_sub==" ")):             print ("  no valid input. using default \"" + sub_name + "\" \n")         else:             sub_name = q_sub             print ("\r   using subreddit \"" + sub_name + "\"\n")     else:         print ("        using default \"" + sub_name + "\"    \n") 

i find myself making code hard read putting if not silent , such before other pieces of code. i've thought having multiple methods same essential functions code left out if user had put in silent or semisilent, lead unnecessary code duplication.

is there / way change behaviour of methods without having make unreadable or rewrite code multiple times?

thanks lot help! - jeroen

define own custom "print" method, checks if variable (silent) set, , skips printing if value set. lines print('value') turn myprint('value'). using function names verbose() , debug() , having 2 log levels. in case, maybe call them "silent()" , "semisilent()" or something.