Python: importing another .py file

Question

I have a class and I want to import a def function by doing:

import <file>

but when I try to call it, it says that the def can not be found. I also tried:

from <file> import <def>

but then it says global name 'x' is not defined.

So how can I do this?

Edit:

Here is a example of what I am trying to do. In file1.py I have:

var = "hi"

class a:
  def __init__(self):
    self.b()

  import file2

a()

and in file2.py I have:

def b(self):
  print(var)

it is just giving me a error though.

what are you trying to import, is it built in? and if not is it in the same directory as your working directory? — Stephan
– Stephan, Commented Jul 31, 2013 at 18:02
You don't import a file; you import a module, or names contained in a module. import modulename, not import filename.py. You'll need to add a more concrete example to illustrate your problem better. — Martijn Pieters
– Martijn Pieters, Commented Jul 31, 2013 at 18:05
Can you put the actual import statement and the actual absolute file paths in your post? — user2357112
– user2357112, Commented Jul 31, 2013 at 18:14
...huh. I never thought of importing a class's methods from another module. It actually works, once you fix the syntax. I'm not sure whether it'd ever be a good idea, though. — user2357112
– user2357112, Commented Jul 31, 2013 at 18:21

user2357112 · Accepted Answer · 2013-07-31 18:31:56Z

7

import file2

loads the module file2 and binds it to the name file2 in the current namespace. b from file2 is available as file2.b, not b, so it isn't recognized as a method. You could fix it with

from file2 import b

which would load the module and assign the b function from that module to the name b. I wouldn't recommend it, though. Import file2 at top level and define a method that delegates to file2.b, or define a mixin superclass you can inherit from if you frequently need to use the same methods in unrelated classes. Importing a function to use it as a method is confusing, and it breaks if the function you're trying to use is implemented in C.

answered Jul 31, 2013 at 18:31

user2357112

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