argparse - How to handle ampersand as part a command line argument in python

Question

I have a program in python 2.7 which accepts command line parameters using argparse, however if I try to enter a string containing an ampersand I lose the characters after that ampersand.

For example:

I have a simple python program just to test the input of command line arguments and simply prints out what was entered for a single command line parameter.

Essentially: print args.where

When I run the program with an argument like this:

$ python args.py -a http://www.website.com?optionone=one&numbertwo=two

The only text printed to the screen is: http://www.website.com?optionone=one

I have similar results when using sys and printIng using Argv

How can I get the full string entered?

Answer 1

This is a problem with your shell. Put the argument in quotes.