def parse_vars(args):
    """
    Given variables like ``['a=b', 'c=d']`` turns it into ``{'a':
    'b', 'c': 'd'}``
    """
    result = {}
    for arg in args:
        if '=' not in arg:
            raise ValueError(
                'Variable assignment %r invalid (no "=")'
                % arg)
        name, value = arg.split('=', 1)
        result[name] = value
    return result