Translate to noob a Name Eroor message

[bako]

What exactly does this mean?

Error:
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "waveshare_init.py", line 22, in <module>
    if cmd == off:
NameError: name 'off' is not defined

"off" is cmd = sys.argv[1] which should be an option an option when I run the script. no?

[stullis]

As written, the interpreter is looking for a variable named off. If you want to check for the string value, quotes are needed:

if cmd == "off":

# Or

if cmd == 'off':

[bako]

Ah... stupid me. So, no quotes on variables. Specific values require quotes of some sort.