I use Python to import data from external files. Example file:

Things           Thing1       Thing2      Thing3
Color            -98564.0    -745871.0   -335430.0
Age               11.0        20.0        2.0
Weight            50.75       52.9        65.2
Volume            30.232      45.876      100.3  

Each column is a thing. Each row is a different property (like color or age). The files all have the same number of rows in the same order. However, they can have different numbers of columns.

I know how to import and access the data I need for a specific file (i.e., where I specify the number of columns in the file). However, it would be great to be able to deal with any file (any number of columns). So far I have:

n_cols = 4
exampleFileImport = np.loadtxt("exampleFile.dat",usecols=np.arange(1, n_cols), skiprows=1)
for n in range(n_cols-1):

        ColorImport     = solidSlop98Data_rxn1[0,n] 
        AgeImport       = solidSlop98Data_rxn1[1,n] 
        WeightImport    = solidSlop98Data_rxn1[2,n]
        VolumeImport    = solidSlop98Data_rxn1[3,n] 

My problem is that I don’t know how to come up with a unique variable name for n columns. I.e., whenever I go through the loop, the value of “ColorImport” (or whatever) is overwritten. I am trying to append a “_i” (e.g., ColorImport_1) but am getting confused. I know from a previous post here that I can append one string to another by doing:

    str1 = "one"
    str2 = "two"
    newstr = " ".join((str1, str2))

where str1 would be (for example) “ColorImport” and i would be a column number, but am somehow not understanding how to apply it in my situation. If anyone would please point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful.