Importing files in different directories in Python

Question

I have a directory structure like this:

dir/
   frontend.py
   dir1/main.py
   dir2/backend.py

How do I import backend in main in Python?
How do I import frontend in main in Python?

Have tried all the answers on Stackoverflow. Nothing seems to work.

You need to have init.py file in dir1 and dir2 stackoverflow.com/questions/448271/what-is-init-py-for — Nabin
– Nabin, Commented Nov 28, 2017 at 11:19
I have done that too. Does not help me in importing modules from the parent directory. — waqasgard
– waqasgard, Commented Nov 28, 2017 at 11:33

jo9k · Accepted Answer · 2017-11-28 11:24:20Z

1

In any folder from which you want to import source files you need to have existing init.py file.

I would advise structure like:

dir/
   main.py
   dir1/frontend.py
   dir1/__init__.py
   dir2/backend.py
   dir2/__init__.py

Then you import them in following fashion (in main.py):

import dir1.frontend
import dir2.backend

answered Nov 28, 2017 at 11:24

jo9k

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7 Comments

waqasgard Over a year ago

Thanks. I was aware of such a structure. I really wanted to know how to import modules from the parent directory and in the sub-directories within the parent directory. It's not possible always to structure the directories in the way that you have mentioned.

waqasgard Over a year ago

Thanks mate! But that did not help either. Tried adding my parent directory to PYTHONPATH also. Did not work for me. I cannot import modules from the parent directory.

jo9k Over a year ago

As long as I run main.py from dir/ (like python ./dir1/main.py) I achieve proper results (both modules imported) with: import frontend, import dir2.backend. If it has to be run from dir1/ (python ./main.py) then I have no idea.

BoboDarph Over a year ago

I've seen a "hacky" solution import all needed modules in the initial init.py of each subfolder, then the init.py of the main module would import each of those.

waqasgard Over a year ago

@jo9k I badly want to figure out the imports in Python. The structure you provided works fine always. I was aware of that. There should be a mechanism to import anything from anywhere and run from anywhere, I believe.

|

waqasgard · Accepted Answer · 2018-04-02 08:56:50Z

1

There is only one rule when it comes to importing files in a Python project.

You have to import the package relative to the directory from where the project is run.

For example in the question main.py should have something like this:

from dir.frontend import *
from dir.dir2.backend import *

But then you'll have to have something like main.py under dir/ which imports dir/dir1/main.py and then run python main.py.

So, try to keep the main.py always in the head directory so you don't have to worry about such a situation as above.

ONLY ONE RULE: Everything has to be imported relatively to the directory from where the project is run.

answered Apr 2, 2018 at 8:56

waqasgard

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