Python: How to import from an init.py file?

Question

I'm building a website using the Flask Framework, in which I've got a folder in which I have some python files and an __init__.py script (I guess you would call this folder a module?). In the init.py file I've got a line saying:

db = Database(app)

I now want to use db in a different script which is in this folder. Normally I would do this using from __init__ import db, but that just doesn't seem right to do, let alone pythonic. Furthermore, since it is in the __init__.py file, I suppose it should somehow be initialised for the whole folder/module.

Does anybody know how I can use db from the __init__.py file? All tips are welcome!

possible duplicate of [Importing files in Python from \_\_init\_\_.py](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1201115/importing-files-in-python-from-init-py) — BoshWash, Mar 09 '14 at 12:49

score 24 · Accepted Answer · answered Mar 09 '14 at 12:57

24

Try relative imports

from . import db

answered Mar 09 '14 at 12:57

tynn

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if i use `from . import *` will it import everything inside `__init__.py` or all files inside the current folder? – TomSawyer Jan 03 '18 at 05:33
How come `from .` knows to look inside `__init__.py`? – Heisenberg Jun 21 '18 at 22:46
The `.` path is relative for current package. The `__init__.py` defines the current package and what to export. – tynn Jun 22 '18 at 07:35

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 09 '14 at 12:51

The init.py files are automatically imported when you import the package they are in. For example, say the init.py is in a package called foo. When you import foo

import foo
from foo import *
import foo as ...

the init file gets called. And are you using python 2 or 3? If you are using python 3, you will need to use dynamic imports:

from * import __init__

In general, it is a bad practice to import from init, I would suggest trying to place this code in another file in the package.

This does not answer the question. – jwg Apr 11 '17 at 07:46 — jwg, Apr 11 '17 at 07:46

Python: How to import from an init.py file?

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Python: How to import from an __init__.py file?

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Python: How to import from an init.py file?