Make python3 subpackage module available for import in main package namespace

Question

I have the following dir structure

mainpackage
├── __init__.py
└── subpackage
    ├── __init__.py
    └── module.py

Module.py contains

def test():
    print("test called")

Using python3 I am looking to make the module.py module available for import in the mainpackage namespace. So far my mainpackage __init__.py file looks like this

from .subpackage import module

I would like to be able to call

import mainpackage.module

but this throws

ImportError: No module named 'mainpackage.module'

Just for clarity, I am NOT looking to import the test function into the mainpackage namespace - I want the entire module. Is this possible ? Any help would be much appreciated.

gehbiszumeis · Accepted Answer · 2018-10-24 11:19:45Z

1

As far as I know you cannot make a module of a subpackage available in the namespace of the mainpackage like you tried:

import mainpackage.module

looks for a module in the subdirectory of mainpackage and not in any other (deeper) subdirectories.

What you tried in the mainpackage\__init.py__ is correct. Your

from .subpackage import module

will make the module availabe on mainpackage level. If you type in an IPython console

import mainpackage
mainpackage.module

will give the following output

<module 'mainpackage.subpackage.module' from 'your\path\mainpackage\subpackage\module.py'>

but import mainpackage.module still won't work. If you now want to use module as an instance you have to use

from mainpackage import module

which will allow you to use your function like this

module.test

answered Oct 24, 2018 at 11:19

gehbiszumeis

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Comments

ikuamike · Accepted Answer · 2018-10-24 10:31:41Z

0

Import it this way from mainpackage.subpackage import module and you don't need from .subpackage import module in the init file

answered Oct 24, 2018 at 10:31

ikuamike

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4 Comments

user2510141 Over a year ago

I am aware you can do that but it doesnt make it available in the mainpackage namespace. I want to call import mainpackage.module

ikuamike Over a year ago

do you have another file in the mainpackage which uses subpackage?

user2510141 Over a year ago

Not at the moment no

ikuamike Over a year ago

just call import mainpackage.subpackage.module because it doesn't make any difference what is imported in the mainpackage init file python will still throw the error. Basically you want to import the import but that's doesn't work

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