Using Python Functions in Terminal

Question

I'm just starting to learn Python and I'm having a hard time testing things out in the terminal. What I want to do is simply run a pre-written Python method in the Python interpreter. (I know how to run it by doing python file_name.py, but I want to run it in the interpreter itself).

So if I for example had the file "exampleModule.py":

def exampleFunc(data):
    print(data)

Then in the terminal I run Python and do:

Python 3.5.1 (v3.5.1:37a07cee5969, Dec  5 2015, 21:12:44) 
[GCC 4.2.1 (Apple Inc. build 5666) (dot 3)] on darwin
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import exampleModule
>>> exampleFunc('Hello')
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
NameError: name 'exampleFunc' is not defined

The thing that I don't get about this is that if I run the module in the Python IDLE, I can access the exampleFunc, but not in the terminal interpreter.

Thanks!

You're running Darwin? Cool! I'd like to get it set up myself--may I contact you for pointers? — Fred Barclay
– Fred Barclay, Commented Dec 22, 2015 at 1:11
Oh gosh, I'm super honored, but that's the Unix fork OS X runs on. Sorry @FredBarclay, though I'd totally recommend Linux Mint. — Sam
– Sam, Commented Dec 23, 2015 at 5:47
Oh, so is that what OS X terminal looks like? BTW: I absolutely agree on Mint--I'm on LMDE Betsy and loving it! :) — Fred Barclay
– Fred Barclay, Commented Dec 23, 2015 at 22:55
Yep! It's a pretty useful terminal, though definitely restricted. Cool, I'll check that out the next time I make a VM! — Sam
– Sam, Commented Dec 25, 2015 at 15:15

rafaelc · Accepted Answer · 2015-12-21 23:07:29Z

1

When you do

import exampleModule

you have to write the full name of its functions. According to the Docs*,

This does not enter the names of the functions defined in exampleModule directly in the current symbol table; it only enters the module name exampleModule there. Using the module name you can access the functions

If you want to write only the function name, do

from exampleModule import *

As, according to the Docs*

This does not introduce the module name from which the imports are taken in the local symbol table (so in the example, exampleModule is not defined).

**changed the function name to yours for better understading.*

edited Dec 21, 2015 at 23:07

answered Dec 21, 2015 at 23:04

rafaelc

59.4k15 gold badges64 silver badges87 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

4 Comments

Brendan Abel Over a year ago

Or use the more explicit import -- from exampleModule import exampleFunc

Sam Over a year ago

Oh god that was simple (and makes total sense). Thank you so much!

Alex Huszagh Over a year ago

I still cannot stress this enough though: stackoverflow.com/questions/2386714/why-is-import-bad import * puts a lot of things into your namespace you don't expect. It's much better to be explicit and say from package import module or from module import class.

Terry Jan Reedy Over a year ago

In general, I do things like import example_module as em and then em.some_func. With name completion, as in IDLE, typing em. and pausing brings up a box with a list of all names in em, and only names in em.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Using Python Functions in Terminal

1 Answer 1

4 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

4 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related