# Can you give me some pointers on imporving the following python function code snippet: def...

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## User

```python
def output_person_details(url, office_dict):
    """ Returns person details. """
    person_tree = make_simple_tree(url)
    if error_page(person_tree):
        print("output_person: error_page: Error page found.")
    elif polipo_error(person_tree):
        print("Page not in polipo cache. Writing to missing_pages.txt")
        write_file(missing_page_fo, url)
        polipo_on()
        output_person_details(url)
        polipo_off()
    elif busy_page(person_tree):
        kill_tor()
        time.sleep(60)
        print("Waiting 60 seconds and trying again.")
        output_person_details(url)
    else:
        output = {}
        Name = office_name(person_tree)
        Office_name = person_office_name(person_tree)
        Work_address = office_dict('address')
        Work_location = office_dict('location')
        Role = str(person_role(person_tree))
        Admitted = str(person_admission_date(person_tree))
        Email = str(person_email_address(person_tree))
        Tel = str(person_telephone_number(person_tree))
        write_file(person_email_fo, Email)
        sraID = str(person_sraID(person_tree))
        Solicitor_ID = str(person_solicitorID(person_tree))
        Person_DX_address = str(person_DX_address(person_tree))
        Person_ID = str(person_id(url))
        Accreditations = str(person_accreditations(person_tree))
        Areas_of_Practice = str(person_areas_of_practice(person_tree))
        Languages = str(person_languages(person_tree))
        print("+++ Solicitor Name: " + Name)
        print("+++ Admitted: " + Admitted)
        print("+++ sraID: " + sraID)
        print("+++ Office Name: " + Office_name)
        print("+++ Person ID: " + Person_ID)
        print("+++ Solicitor ID: " + Solicitor_ID)
        print("+++ DX Address: " + Person_DX_address)
        print("+++ Role: " + Role)
        print("+++ Email: " + Email)
        print("+++ Tel: " + Tel)
        print("+++ Accreditations: " + Accreditations)
        print("+++ Areas of Practice: " + Areas_of_Practice)
        print("+++ Languages: " + Languages)
        person_dict = {}
        person_dict['sra_id'] = sraID
        person_dict['type'] = 'SRA Regulated'
        person_dict['name'] = Name
        person_dict['person_id'] = Person_ID
        person_dict['solicitor_id'] = Solicitor_ID
        person_dict['work_office'] = Office_name
        person_dict['address'] = Work_address
        person_dict['location'] = Work_location
        person_dict['admitted_date'] = Admitted
        person_dict['dx_address'] = Person_DX_address
        person_dict['tel'] = Tel
        person_dict['email'] = Email
        person_dict['accreditations'] = Accreditations
        person_dict['areas_of_practice'] = Areas_of_Practice
        person_dict['languages'] = Languages
        person_dict['roles'] = Role
#        with open('json_out/person/person_' + person_dict['person_id'] + '.json', 'w') as outfile:
#            json.dump(person_dict, outfile)
        filename = 'json_out/person/person_' + person_dict['person_id'] + '.json'
        content = json.dumps(person_dict, sort_keys=True, indent=4)
        write_json(filename, content)
```

## User

i have another function which is largely the same in structure how would this affect the refactoring: def output_person_details(url, office_dict): ...

## Answer

[1](https://realpython.com/python-refactoring/)

![favicon-realpython.com](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=realpython.com)realpython.com \> python-refactoring

[Refactoring Python Applications for Simplicity – Real Python](https://realpython.com/python-refactoring/)

rope is a free Python utility for refactoring Python code. ... Similar arguments across functions; Higher number of Halstead h2 unique operands; ... Once you..

[2](https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/best-practices-for-refactoring-code/)

![favicon-www.freecodecamp.org](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=www.freecodecamp.org)www.freecodecamp.org \> news \> best-practices-for-refactoring-code

[Code Refactoring Best Practices – with Python Examples - freeCodeCamp.org](https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/best-practices-for-refactoring-code/)

Refactoring Best Practices – with Python Examples. If you want to get the most benefit from restructuring your code, you should keep the following in..

[3](https://betterprogramming.pub/forty-seven-best-practice-refactoring-techniques-for-better-python-code-6e5d6e091f9a)

![favicon-betterprogramming.pub](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=betterprogramming.pub)betterprogramming.pub \> forty-seven-best-practice-refactoring-techniques-for-better-python-code-6e5d6e091f9a

[Forty-Seven Best Practice Refactoring Techniques for Better Python Code](https://betterprogramming.pub/forty-seven-best-practice-refactoring-techniques-for-better-python-code-6e5d6e091f9a)

Add type hinting to every function or class method. Python is a dynamically typed language. Python 3.5 and higher allows you to enable type hints..

[4](https://www.codesee.io/learning-center/python-refactoring)

![favicon-www.codesee.io](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=www.codesee.io)www.codesee.io \> learning-center \> python-refactoring

[Python Refactoring: Techniques, Tools, and Best Practices](https://www.codesee.io/learning-center/python-refactoring)

Refactoring is the process of modifying an existing code base to improve its structure, design, or implementation while preserving its functionality. When appli..

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Given the structure of the output_person_details function, similar to the output_office_details function, the refactoring suggestions would apply with some adjustments to cater to the specifics of handling person details. Here's how you can apply the refactoring principles to this function:

1. Avoid Recursion for Retry Logic: Similar to the output_office_details function, avoid using recursion for retry logic in output_person_details. Instead, use a loop with a maximum number of retries to handle conditions like polipo_error and busy_page. This approach is more efficient and avoids the risk of exceeding the recursion limit.

2. Error Handling: Improve error handling by using exceptions instead of printing error messages. This allows for more flexible and maintainable error handling, especially when integrating with other parts of the application.

3. Code Duplication: The function contains repeated code for writing to files (e.g., write_file(person_email_fo, Email)). Consider creating a helper function to reduce code duplication and improve readability.

4. Use of Global Variables: The function uses global variables like missing_page_fo, person_email_fo, and others. It's generally better to pass these as parameters to the function or encapsulate them within a class to improve modularity and testability.

5. String Concatenation: Instead of using string concatenation (e.g., "+++ Solicitor Name: " + Name), use formatted strings or f-strings for better readability and performance.

6. JSON Serialization: The function manually constructs a dictionary and then serializes it to JSON. Consider using a data class or a more structured approach to represent the person details, which can simplify the serialization process.

7. Function Complexity: The function does a lot of things, including fetching data, handling errors, and writing to files. Consider breaking it down into smaller, more focused functions. This makes the code easier to understand, test, and maintain.

8. Use of time.sleep: The use of time.sleep(60) to wait for 60 seconds before retrying is not the most efficient way to handle retries. Consider using a backoff strategy or a library that handles retries more gracefully.

Here's a simplified example incorporating some of these suggestions for the output_person_details function:

```python
import time
import json

def output_person_details(url, office_dict, max_retries=3):
    for attempt in range(max_retries):
        person_tree = make_simple_tree(url)
        if not error_page(person_tree) and not polipo_error(person_tree) and not busy_page(person_tree):
            person_details = fetch_person_details(person_tree, office_dict)
            write_person_details_to_files(person_details)
            return
        elif polipo_error(person_tree):
            handle_polipo_error(url)
        elif busy_page(person_tree):
            handle_busy_page()
        time.sleep(60) # Consider using a backoff strategy
    raise Exception("Max retries exceeded")

def fetch_person_details(person_tree, office_dict):
    # Extract person details from person_tree and office_dict
    # Return a dictionary of person details
    pass

def write_person_details_to_files(person_details):
    # Write person details to files
    pass

def handle_polipo_error(url):
    # Handle polipo error
    pass

def handle_busy_page():
    # Handle busy page
    pass

```

This refactored version introduces a loop for retry logic, separates concerns into smaller functions, and uses a more Pythonic approach to string formatting. Remember to test your refactored code thoroughly to ensure it behaves as expected, as suggested by best practices for refactoring [1](https://realpython.com/python-refactoring/)[2](https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/best-practices-for-refactoring-code/).

