How to reuse functions in python

Question

We are having some issue here. There are two python files parent and child in same folder. I want to reuse the function("sum") of parent in child, instead of copying the same function("sum") into child. Please refer the image below.

child.py

def add(a,b):
    sum(a,b)

parent.py

import child
def sum(a,b):
    print(a+b)
def main():
    child.add(1,2) # Prints 3

Parent depends from child, and child depends from parent. This is a circular dependency, which is not a quite good idea in general. — clemens
– clemens, Commented Jan 24, 2018 at 6:18
You shouldn't want to do this, this creates a circular import where child.py needs parent.py and vice-versa. — Adam Smith
– Adam Smith, Commented Jan 24, 2018 at 6:18
The issues you are having are exactly why this is a bad design. Reconsider why you are doing it like this. — cdarke
– cdarke, Commented Jan 24, 2018 at 6:21

minboost · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-24 06:19:04Z

3

Put sum() in a third module that is imported by both.

answered Jan 24, 2018 at 6:19

minboost

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havanagrawal · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-24 06:18:15Z

1

You can use imports:

In child.py

from parent import sum

Now you can use the sum function as you want.

Having said that, it looks like this question has multiple issues that will be a debugging nightmare

Circular imports
Overriding builtin functions

Consider reading a basic tutorial on Python imports and builtin functions.

answered Jan 24, 2018 at 6:18

havanagrawal

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Comments

Narendra · Accepted Answer · 2018-01-24 06:25:25Z

1

You can use it as:-

In child.py use:-

from parent import sum
def add(a,b):
    sum(a,b)

add(3,10) #output 13 as expected

answered Jan 24, 2018 at 6:25

Narendra

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