Different behaviors in python console and the editor console

Question

I am new with python and PyCharm. The following code works in python console, listing the functions in the math package:

import importlib
st = 'math'
importlib.import_module(st)
dir(eval(st))

However, if the same snippet appears in the editor window and runs, the below message shows:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:/Users/sywan/PycharmProjects/test/test.py", line 4, in <module>
    dir(eval(st))
  File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
NameError: name 'math' is not defined

Your answer is very much appreciated!!

It throws `NameError` in both python 2 and python3 console. – gzc Feb 19 '17 at 08:46 — gzc, Feb 19 '17 at 08:46

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited May 23 '17 at 11:53

This so answer explains what does eval do

eval interprets a string as code. In your case eval convert 'math' into math and search for a variable named math.

import importlib
st = 'math'
dir_path = importlib.import_module(st)
dir(dir_path)

To find functions in math module, save module path in variable and then apply dir method as importlib.import_module(st) return st directory path

Different behaviors in python console and the editor console

1 Answers1