Why is this Python code running twice?

Question

I have a Python script with just these 2 lines:

import requests
print len(dir(requests))

It prints:

12
48

When I print the actual list dir(requests), I get this:

['__author__', '__build__', '__builtins__', '__copyright__', '__doc__', '__file__', '__license__', '__name__', '__package__', '__path__', '__title__', '__version__']
['ConnectionError', 'HTTPError', 'NullHandler', 'PreparedRequest', 'Request', 'RequestException', 'Response', 'Session', 'Timeout', 'TooManyRedirects', 'URLRequired', '__author__', '__build__', '__builtins__', '__copyright__', '__doc__', '__file__', '__license__', '__name__', '__package__', '__path__', '__title__', '__version__', 'adapters', 'api', 'auth', 'certs', 'codes', 'compat', 'cookies', 'delete', 'exceptions', 'get', 'head', 'hooks', 'logging', 'models', 'options', 'packages', 'patch', 'post', 'put', 'request', 'session', 'sessions', 'status_codes', 'structures', 'utils']

I'm guessing there are multiple requests modules or something like that. Please help.

What "actual arrays" are these? When do you print them? More information, please. — kindall, Jul 08 '13 at 15:10
But you're only doing that once. Under what circumstances do you get each? — kindall, Jul 08 '13 at 15:13
It'll probably be worth mentioning in terms of context that this question is a spin-off from attempts to [sort this earlier question](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/17528149/python-attributeerror-module-object-has-no-attribute) — Jon Clements, Jul 08 '13 at 15:14
@Bruce indeed it is - so [edit] this to include that - and it'll give context to people looking at this, and might even end up solving your other one at the same time — Jon Clements, Jul 08 '13 at 15:18

score 17 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 08 '13 at 15:18

17

You gave your script a name of a standard module or something else that is imported by the requests package. You created a circular import.

yourscript -> import requests -> [0 or more other modules] -> import yourscript -> import requests again

Because requests didn't complete importing the first time you get to see these differences in the list of supported objects.

Don't do that. Rename your script to something else and it'll all work.

answered Jul 08 '13 at 15:18

Martijn Pieters

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1

Jesus. It was `http.py`. – Bruce Jul 08 '13 at 15:20
This answer saved my life. Thank you! I'm executing multiple scripts in one go and discovered that I created a circular import that caused the same issue. Lesson learned! – heretomurimudamura Dec 29 '19 at 17:12

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 08 '13 at 15:24

1

First one is your own module Second is module for dealing with HTTP requests. Rename ur own module

answered Jul 08 '13 at 15:24

user2550714

11
1

Why is this Python code running twice?

2 Answers2

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