Live Exchange Rate Quotes Using Python

Python Techniques — Using Python to Create Live Exchange Rates

Python is a versatile and widely-used programming language known for its simplicity, readability, and flexibility. With its clean and concise syntax, Python is a great choice for beginners and experienced developers alike.

Its extensive standard library and rich ecosystem of third-party packages enable it to excel in various domains, from web development and scientific computing to data analysis, artificial intelligence, and automation. Python’s cross-platform compatibility and active community make it an ideal tool for solving diverse challenges, allowing developers to write elegant and efficient code for a wide range of applications.

This article will be part of a limited series of using Python for fun stuff.

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Creating an Infinite Exchange Rate Loop

A live exchange rates screen is a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays real-time or near-real-time exchange rates for various currency pairs. It provides users with up-to-date information about the current exchange rates, allowing them to monitor currency fluctuations and make informed decisions.

The aim is to create an archaic version with a simple lines of code. It can be a first prototype before a more sophisticated version.

First, pip install the required library:

pip install forex_python

Write the following code:

from forex_python.converter import CurrencyRates
import time

def display_exchange_rates(base_currency, target_currencies):
    c = CurrencyRates()
    print("Exchange Rates:")
    for currency in target_currencies:
        rate = c.get_rate(base_currency, currency)
        print(f"{currency}: {rate}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    base_currency = "EUR"
    target_currencies = ["SEK", "JPY", "GBP", "AUD"]  # Add more currencies as needed
    while True:
        display_exchange_rates(base_currency, target_currencies)
        time.sleep(1)  # Display rates every second

The output looks something like this:

Exchange Rates:
SEK: 11.7195
JPY: 157.35
GBP: 0.8618
AUD: 1.6779
Exchange Rates:
SEK: 11.7195
JPY: 157.35
GBP: 0.8619
AUD: 1.6778
Exchange Rates:
SEK: 11.7193
JPY: 157.35
GBP: 0.8618
AUD: 1.6779