ImportError: cannot import name 'second_file'

Question

I have two files first_file and second_file in the same directory dir. When I am trying to import second_file in first_file using

from dir import second_file

I am getting ImportErorr. I have also tried using

from . import second_file

in the first_file but still I am getting that error. I am using Python 3.6 How to import correctly?

have you tried `import second_file`? if they are in the same directory it should be fine just to call an import. — MooingRawr, Feb 16 '18 at 14:53
I have run this from pycharm run configuration as well as from the terminal using py filename.py still getting the same error. — Sri Divya, Feb 16 '18 at 15:09
The pycharm is detecting the import but while running the script it is giving me the error. — Sri Divya, Feb 16 '18 at 15:10
Are you sure it is while importing and not later in the script — Xantium, Feb 16 '18 at 15:37

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Feb 16 '18 at 15:02

You are importing wrongly. To get a file that is in the same dictionary use:

import second_file

Assuming the following structure:

dir -|
      -  __init__.py
      -  first_file.py
      -  second_file.py

You will also need an __init__.py file (see why here)

The command:

from dir import second_file

Will import second_file from a package (or sub-folder) with the following structure:

main_folder |-
              |-  first_file.py
              |-  dir  |-
                         |-  __init__.py
                         |-  second_file.py

from . import second_file will have this structure:

main_folder |-
              |- __init__.py
              |- second_file.py
              |- dir |-
                       |- first_file.py

The section of the Python documentation relating to modules might be helpful to you as well.

@SriDivya Hmmm What is your file structure? Also what does your `__init__.py` contain? This is certainly the way to import without more details it is not apparent why it is not. — Xantium, Feb 16 '18 at 15:16

ImportError: cannot import name 'second_file'

1 Answers1