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    @Mast, apologies, but I don't follow. The name of the file (whether or not it ends in .py) is neither here nor there. The point I am trying to make is that if it's written in Python then you need a Python interpreter to read it. Commented Jun 18, 2017 at 19:01
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    @Mast I think you're parsing it wrong. The point I took from this answer (both original and edited) is that the choice to write configuration files in a programming language is that it makes it harder to write code in another language. E.g. you decide to port your app to Anrdoid / iPhone and will be using another language. You either have to (a) rely on a Python interpreter on the mobile phone app (not ideal), (b) re-write the configuration in a language-independent format and rewrite the Python code that used it, or (c) maintain two configuration formats going forward. Commented Jun 18, 2017 at 19:37
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    @JonBentley I suppose the concern will be relevant if there're plans to do multi-language projects. I didn't get that impression from the OP. Additionally, using text files for config still requires additional code (in all languages) for actual parsing/conversion of values. Technically, if they limit the Python side to key=value assignments for config, I don't see why a Java/C++ program couldn't read the Python file as a plain text file and parse it the same if they need to move to something else in the future. I don't see a need for a full-fledged Python interpreter. Commented Jun 18, 2017 at 19:54
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    @ray True, but the answer is still useful on the basis that questions shouldn't just be applicable to the person who posts them. If you use a standardized format (e.g. INI, JSON, YAML, XML, etc.) then you will likely be using an existing parsing library rather than writing your own. That reduces the additional work to just an adapter class to interface with the parsing library. If you are limiting yourself to key=value, then that does away with most of the OP's reasons to use Python in the first place and you might as well just go with a recognized format. Commented Jun 18, 2017 at 23:33
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    I had to do this a few years ago when a tool written in Lua used Lua script as its configs, then they wanted us to write a new tool in C#, and specifically asked us to use the Lua config script. They had a total of 2 lines that were actually programmable and not simple x = y, but I still had to learn about open source Lua interpreters for .net because of them. It's not a purely theoretical argument. Commented Jun 19, 2017 at 15:55