python: import a helper function in a module

Question

In a top folder I have a python file (helpers.py) which contains a single function:

def play(name, verbose=False):
        if verbose:
        print name + "with verbose on"
    else:
        print name + "verbose off"

And in a subfolder named project I have second python file (program.py) that imports and uses helpers.py:

from .. import helpers as hp

def main(device,verbose=False):
    hp.play(device)
    #here goes the code

if __name__ == "__main__":
    #Test the program
    main('Foo')
    main('Foo', verbose=True)

Both folders contain the __init__.py file to allow module importing. I want to execute the program.py file to test the main function. Following How to fix "Attempted relative import in non-package" even with __init__.py I try to run :

python -m top.project.program

getting

# /usr/bin/python: No module named top.project

I don't understand what I am doing wrong. Any help? thanks

Scott Hunter · Answer 1 · 2016-09-28T11:50:18.900

0

-m doesn't indicate an import; it is expecting the path to the module you wish to execute. So it probably wants -m top/project/program.py (although you may need to provide an absolute path).

edited Sep 28 '16 at 11:50

answered Sep 28 '16 at 11:45

Scott Hunter

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Could you please give an example? – diegus Sep 28 '16 at 11:48
Tried with a full path. It gives me ValueError: Attempted relative import in non-package – diegus Sep 28 '16 at 11:54

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 28 '16 at 12:12

The answer is in a comment of the accepted answer in the link I posted in my question. It matters from which directory you are executing your python command from. The code works when executing the following shell command:

python -m top.project.program

From the top directory only. It is not working when executed from its subdirectory project.

python: import a helper function in a module

2 Answers2