Python : How to import a module if I have its path as a string?

Question

Lets say I have path to a module in a string module_to_be_imported = 'a.b.module'
How can I import it ?

jfs · Accepted Answer · 2010-06-23 14:04:22Z

6

>>> m = __import__('xml.sax')
>>> m.__name__
'xml'
>>> m = __import__('xml.sax', fromlist=[''])
>>> m.__name__
'xml.sax'

answered Jun 23, 2010 at 14:04

jfs

417k210 gold badges1k silver badges1.7k bronze badges

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

Comments

Justin Ethier · Accepted Answer · 2010-06-23 14:00:21Z

3

You can use the build-in __import__ function. For example:

import sys

myconfigfile = sys.argv[1]

try:
    config = __import__(myconfigfile)
    for i in config.__dict__:
        print i            
except ImportError:
    print "Unable to import configuration file %s" % (myconfigfile,)

For more information, see:

answered Jun 23, 2010 at 14:00

Justin Ethier

135k53 gold badges235 silver badges290 bronze badges

1 Comment

jfs Over a year ago

Use fromlist parameter otherwise you get a instead of a.b.module stackoverflow.com/questions/3102252/…

jhleath · Accepted Answer · 2010-06-23 14:15:42Z

0

x = __import__('a.b.module', fromlist=[''])

Reference

edited Jun 23, 2010 at 14:15

answered Jun 23, 2010 at 14:01

jhleath

8041 gold badge9 silver badges18 bronze badges

2 Comments

Nullpoet Over a year ago

>>> n =__import__('mobius.api') >>> n <module 'mobius' from '/home/rhiwale/Desktop/nfsrepo/rohit/mobius/../mobius/__init__.pyc'> >>> >>> for i in n.__dict__: ... print i ... settings builtins docs file polls package path api video name doc ccb >>> Why mobius gets imported instead of mobius.api ?

jhleath Over a year ago

See comment below for answer. Updating my answer now.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Python : How to import a module if I have its path as a string?

3 Answers 3

Comments

1 Comment

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

Comments

1 Comment

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related