I need to search a line of text out in a file and replace it, so far the code examples on the net have produced empty files.

Basically the file is a *.conf file, now the structure of the file looks alot like a win *.ini file and in visual basic there is a function to access the sections (the headers in brackets) and each entry (the name with '='). Now the question, does python support or rather have a built in function for handleing that? If yes what is it? If no then how do I do a search and replace? I only have a partial string and want to replace the whole line until the eof(its the last line in the file)

and second question how is the Launcher.conf 'reloaded' after a change, does it get checked every so often?

or even better, what command line will change my wallpaper? Obviously you have the direction I am looking in so far.

ok got the generator to work properly, I can randonly generate any pic from a specific directory and change the launcher.conf file.

Problem: How to tell the launcher to "refresh" the wallpaper. Or is there a commandline to set the wallpaper already, so I dont have to edit the launcher.config file?

BTW: in that file containes a list of fastload apps too, along with some other interesting stuff.

So you got the string replace command in Python ?
If you didnt ....

You can search each line till eof after reading it into a list (or tuple, I keep getting confused which is which)

readFile = open(dataPath + "launcher.conf")
readLines = readFile.readlines()
for line in readLines :
header = line.split("=")[0]
entry = line.split("=")[1]

Once you find a match (on header or enrty), use replace function to replace a string with new string

For reference - string functions of Python
http://docs.python.org/lib/string-methods.html

yea, go that, actually I only know the entry name "wallFName =" the rest is unknown, so I used the "for line in sFile" then did a if/then/else construct when it finds the line re-write the entire line(this is what *.replace does not do"

hek I will post the code, I just have to find a way to tell the launcher o refresh the wallpaper, google provided nothing

Regular expressions are your friend

And yes, a compiled re would be faster but I'm too lazy to type the extra line of code

cool, gotta try that one, you recommend any books? I am a vb programmer as well, with some fortran.

For having the launcher reloaded, serach the forums for qcop; sending a qcop message will tell qtopia to reload its settings.

HTH

Truth be told, I learned Python just by reading the Tutorial and the Library Reference but I came in with a lot of experience in other languages.

If you're an experienced programmer, you may find Dive Into Python helpful. It's probably a good place to start since you can read it online and then if it looks too advanced save your $$$ for something a little more beginner oriented. If you're looking for something a little more introductory I'm told that the O'Reilly Learning Python book is pretty good.

havent found anything to tell it to reload its settings, maybe you saw something I did not?

You can take a look at

http://www.oesf.org/index.php?title=Sharp_...a_QCop_Messages

Maybe the QPE/System restart() would do the trick for you.

Other resouces include: A Byte of Python (http://www.byteofpython.info) and the The Python Grimoire (http://the.taoofmac.com/space/Python/Grimoire)