Import error, No module named xxxx

Question

I have a project having the structure

/example
../prediction
....__init__.py
....a.py

PYTHONPATH is pointed to /example

now I open the python in terminal and type

import prediction

it succeeded, but if I type

import prediction.a

it returns error

ImportError: No module named 'prediction.a'; 'prediction' is not a package

why is that? isn't that already imported as a package

Is there a `prediction.py` file in your working directory that might be taking precedence? If you `import prediction`, what is `prediction.__file__`? — larsks, Jul 07 '15 at 21:22
@larsks May I suggest you make your comment an answer? It solved my problem, but only came up 4th in Google search results ;) — IanS, Nov 09 '15 at 15:36
Duplicates, yes, but this question and answer are both older and more concise. — Rainald62, Nov 22 '19 at 16:40

score 144 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 23 '16 at 10:14

144

The behavior you are seeing can be caused if there is a module (foo.py) or package (foo/__init__.py) in your current directory that has a conflicting name.

In your case, I suspect there is a file named prediction.py, and you're getting that instead of the prediction package in your examples directory.

edited Jun 23 '16 at 10:14

Mr. Napik

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answered Nov 09 '15 at 17:57

larsks

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6

I've been bagging my head around to workaround a similar issue... this solved my problem. Thank you. – Alexis.Rolland Nov 19 '17 at 07:00
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As your answer does only explain the reason but does not present a solution to import a package unambiguously, does that mean that Python is unable to do so? – Robert Jan 03 '18 at 13:35
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I guess it depends on what you mean. Python *does not* import files by an absolute pathname, but you are free to modify the module search path yourself to change the order (or locations) in which it searches for things. If you'd like to pursue that question in more detail, you're best is probably opening a new question here on stackoverflow. – larsks Jan 03 '18 at 16:36

Import error, No module named xxxx

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