Why is this Python code running twice? [duplicate]

Question

I have a Python script with just these 2 lines:

import requests
print len(dir(requests))

It prints:

12
48

When I print the actual list dir(requests), I get this:

['__author__', '__build__', '__builtins__', '__copyright__', '__doc__', '__file__', '__license__', '__name__', '__package__', '__path__', '__title__', '__version__']
['ConnectionError', 'HTTPError', 'NullHandler', 'PreparedRequest', 'Request', 'RequestException', 'Response', 'Session', 'Timeout', 'TooManyRedirects', 'URLRequired', '__author__', '__build__', '__builtins__', '__copyright__', '__doc__', '__file__', '__license__', '__name__', '__package__', '__path__', '__title__', '__version__', 'adapters', 'api', 'auth', 'certs', 'codes', 'compat', 'cookies', 'delete', 'exceptions', 'get', 'head', 'hooks', 'logging', 'models', 'options', 'packages', 'patch', 'post', 'put', 'request', 'session', 'sessions', 'status_codes', 'structures', 'utils']

I'm guessing there are multiple requests modules or something like that. Please help.

What "actual arrays" are these? When do you print them? More information, please. — kindall
– kindall, Commented Jul 8, 2013 at 15:10
But you're only doing that once. Under what circumstances do you get each? — kindall
– kindall, Commented Jul 8, 2013 at 15:13
It'll probably be worth mentioning in terms of context that this question is a spin-off from attempts to sort this earlier question — Jon Clements
– Jon Clements, Commented Jul 8, 2013 at 15:14

Martijn Pieters · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-08 15:18:42Z

17

You gave your script a name of a standard module or something else that is imported by the requests package. You created a circular import.

yourscript -> import requests -> [0 or more other modules] -> import yourscript -> import requests again

Because requests didn't complete importing the first time you get to see these differences in the list of supported objects.

Don't do that. Rename your script to something else and it'll all work.

answered Jul 8, 2013 at 15:18

Martijn Pieters

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2 Comments

Bruce Over a year ago

Jesus. It was http.py.

heretomurimudamura Over a year ago

This answer saved my life. Thank you! I'm executing multiple scripts in one go and discovered that I created a circular import that caused the same issue. Lesson learned!

user2550714 · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-08 15:24:23Z

1

First one is your own module Second is module for dealing with HTTP requests. Rename ur own module

answered Jul 8, 2013 at 15:24

user2550714

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