python eval('import foo') raises SyntaxError

Question

My code structure:

/foo
    __init__.py
    bar.py

init.py

import bar
eval("import bar")

It raises SyntaxError when execute the second line.

>>> import foo
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
  File "foo/__init__.py", line 2, in <module>
    eval('import bar')
  File "<string>", line 1
    import bar
         ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

I am confused because I would expect behaviors of these codes should be the same.

`eval` expects an expression, `import` is a statement. That said, what are you trying to do? — bereal, May 31 '16 at 10:05
I want to import modules at runtime like [http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2083140/import-all-the-modules-in-a-directory](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2083140/import-all-the-modules-in-a-directory). — gzc, May 31 '16 at 10:08
@gzc Sorry, can you elaborate? [This answer](http://stackoverflow.com/a/16495561/35070) does not use `eval`, but still manages to import all modules in a directory. — phihag, May 31 '16 at 10:12
is this what you are looking for? http://stackoverflow.com/questions/17136772/eval-to-import-a-module — Vikas Madhusudana, May 31 '16 at 10:13

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered May 31 '16 at 10:11

3

You can use exec instead if you intend to import the module:

exec("import bar")

answered May 31 '16 at 10:11

Moses Koledoye

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python eval('import foo') raises SyntaxError

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