Importing python modules from folders

Question

So, I am having the following structure in my python package:

./main.py
__init__.py
./mymods/
    __init__.py
    a.py
    b.py

my module a.py imports module b:

import b

Now, I want to import module a from main but when I do I get the following:

import mymods.a

ImportError: No module named 'b'

I googled but I couldn't find a solution to this particular problem. Any good samaritan who knows how to do this?

p.s. I would prefer not to have to import the module b explicitly from main, if that is possible.

Christian Witts · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-04T13:27:12.497

2

You need to make mymods into a package. This can be done simply by creating an empty __init__.py file in the directory.

➜ tree
.
├── main.py
└── mymods
    ├── __init__.py
    ├── a.py
    └── b.py

1 directory, 4 files
➜ cat main.py
import mymods.a

print 'printing from main'
➜ cat mymods/a.py
from . import b

print 'printing from a'

➜ cat mymods/b.py
print 'printing from b

➜ python main.py
printing from b
printing from a
printing from main

For Python 3, change the import b to from . import b.

edited Jul 04 '16 at 13:27

answered Jul 04 '16 at 13:15

Christian Witts

11,375
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I edited it to include how I laid out the project, and what is in the source files. How does yours differ ? – Christian Witts Jul 04 '16 at 13:21
Ah, it works with python 2 but not 3.. and I was running python 3. Since I do need to run py3, do you know what the solution might be? – Noxet Jul 04 '16 at 13:24
1

For Py3, change the import to `from . import b`. That is compatible with Python 2.7. – Christian Witts Jul 04 '16 at 13:27
Aah, there we go. Thank you so much, you saved my day! – Noxet Jul 04 '16 at 13:30

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:44

0

Basically you have to add empty __init__.py file into each folder within your py project.

See more on What is __init__.py for?

edited May 23 '17 at 11:44

Community

1
1

answered Jul 04 '16 at 13:14

Andriy Ivaneyko

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Importing python modules from folders

2 Answers2