Python string to module reference

Question

Is there a way to "reference" a module from a string? For example, the following is quite repetitive:

module = "module1"

if module == "module1":
    module1.function1()
elif module == "module2":
    module2.function1()
elif module == "module3":
    module3.function1()

# Other code...

if module == "module1":
    module1.function2()
elif module == "module2":
    module2.function2()
elif module == "module3":
    module3.function2()

So I was wondering if there was a better way to do it, for example exec(module).function1() (which, doesn't work and probably is unsafe too...)

Alternatively, is there a better way of coding this type of thing? Each file is for different sites but have the same functions.

You could just set module = module1 (or module2 or module 3) and run module.function1(), etc. — Heike
– Heike, Commented May 12, 2020 at 16:50

Green Cloak Guy · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-12 16:51:59Z

3

If your strings and your module names differ, you can set up a dict at the beginning of the program:

import module1
import module2

modules = {
  "module1": module1,
  "module2": module2,
  ...
}
...

modules[moduleName].function1()
modules[moduleName].function2()

If your strings are always the same as the names of the modules, then you might be able to use importlib:

from importlib import import_module

...

import_module(moduleName).function1()
import_module(moduleName).function2()

answered May 12, 2020 at 16:51

Green Cloak Guy

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3 Comments

Ekrem Dinçel Over a year ago

You can also use builtin __import__ function instead of import_module function.

parsley3392 Over a year ago

Thank you! Do you know if it is possible to do the same for a from import? So from modules import module1 in this method. I've tried __import__("modules.module1"), which doesn't work.

parsley3392 Over a year ago

Nevermind, importlib works for that. Thanks again!!

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