Python3 import file from directory starting with number

Question

I tried the answers in this question to no avail so I thought it'd be worth a separate question. The directory layout is as follows:

aale/
     2/
       2.py
       __init__.py
     3/
       3.py
       __init__.py
     __init__.py

The names are unfortunately unable to change (this is the layout given to us for a HW problem). I am trying to import 2 from 3 but it doesn't seem to be working. I tried using importlib as:

two = importlib.import_module('2.2') as well as two = importlib.import_module('2')

which didn't work also (gave a ModuleNotFoundError: No module named '2' error). Any help / other methods would be appreciated. I am using Python 3.6.

What is the error when you use the accepted answer to your linked question? — roganjosh, Sep 16 '18 at 15:22
@roganjosh same `ModuleNotFound` error, I think `import_module` is a wrapper for `__import__` anyway — AJwr, Sep 16 '18 at 15:24
@MosheSlavin I'm just using sublime to edit and running the program on the command line with `python3 3.py` — AJwr, Sep 16 '18 at 15:45
Possible duplicate of [In python, how to import filename starts with a number](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9090079/in-python-how-to-import-filename-starts-with-a-number) — Pedro Lobito, Sep 16 '18 at 16:04

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 16 '18 at 15:25

3

Assuming your script is in the aale directory, you will need to do your import like:

two = importlib.import_module('aale.2.2')

answered Sep 16 '18 at 15:25

Stephen Rauch

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for this I get `ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'aale'` – AJwr Sep 16 '18 at 15:27
I don't know what to say to that, I just tested your exact structure. Although you do state you have `__init.__py`, which should be `__init__.py` – Stephen Rauch Sep 16 '18 at 15:31
yeah just a typo. hmm, well we might be out of luck then – AJwr Sep 16 '18 at 15:32

score 2 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

2

You can use __import__, i.e.:

two  = __import__("2.2") # or __import__("aale.2.2") 
three = __import__("3.3") # or __import__("aale.3.3")

Equivalent to:

import 2.2 as two  
import 3.3 as three

which isn't possible.

Notes:

According to PEP 8 styling guide:

Package and Module Names should have short, all-lowercase names. Underscores can be used in the module name if it improves readability.
I've tested the imports using the same folder structure as in your question and no errors were shown.

References:

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

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answered Sep 16 '18 at 15:22

Pedro Lobito

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1

Well, ok, but this is an assignment for the OP and this does not fix the issue – roganjosh Sep 16 '18 at 15:23
@AJwr I didn't realize it was HW, answer updated, thank you. – Pedro Lobito Sep 16 '18 at 15:49

Moshe Slavin · Answer 3 · 2018-09-16T15:54:34.447

0

You can use pathlib

It is basic:

from pathlib import Path


BASE_LOCATION = Path(__file__).parent

(You can add .parent to get to the folder above and so on.)

Edit

If this doesn't help you, you can try import weirdimport.

You can read more about this here.

Hope this helps!

edited Sep 16 '18 at 15:54

answered Sep 16 '18 at 15:36

Moshe Slavin

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Sorry, I'm unsure as to how to use this. Should I be using `importlib` on the path I get from this? – AJwr Sep 16 '18 at 15:47
In @Stephen's answer, you said you get `ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'aale'` so in addition to his solution you can add the path from pathlib – Moshe Slavin Sep 16 '18 at 15:49

Python3 import file from directory starting with number

3 Answers3