configloader.py

#configloader.py: Script to load the configuration file (config.txt).
#Marjorie Decleir
#Created on 6-08-2019.

#Import the necessary package.
import os

#Define the path to the configuration file.
config_file = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)) + '/config.txt'

#Function to open and read the configuration file.
def load_config():
    config = {}
    with open(config_file, 'r') as configfile:
        for line in configfile:
            splitline = line.split(' = ')
            key, value = splitline[0].strip(), splitline[1].strip()
            if key == "years":
                if ', ' in value:
                    value = value.split(', ')
                else:
                    value = [value]
            config[key] = value
    return config