Python import from adjacent directory. If you really want relative imports, you can have them explicitly in Python 2. However, you can add to the Python path at runtime: Sep 23, 2025 · In Python, a module is simply a ". The resources may be contained directly in a package, within a subdirectory contained in that package, or adjacent to modules outside a package. In Python, modules are self-contained files with reusable code units like functions, classes, and variables. This common challenge can be frustrating when working on larger projects with complex directory structures. script_B2 as script_B2 After closing your application, you can verify if your Python environment is restored to its initial state. Python developers often need to import modules from parent directories. As your Python applications grow in complexity, separating code into multiple files and directories becomes essential for maintainability and reusability. importing a package is conceptually the same as importing that package’s __init__. ' means, go to the directory above me: I'm trying to follow Learn Python the Hard Way to teach myself python. io, and all imports for io are fully specified and python doesn't arbitrarily import the wrong module because the ordering of the list of paths to import from has changed. This guide explains the best methods. 7 'import user' won't look relative to the current module at all. py file To import a module from a different folder in Python, you can use the sys. If the file you want to import is in a different folder than the script you are running, you will need to specify the path to the file. There are different methods for importing scripts in child directories, parent directories, or sibling directories. py" file that contains code (functions, classes, or variables). toml, etc. Fix import error on Python 3. 0 and 3. 5 and up using the somewhat ugly syntax: In Python development, it is common to organize your code into multiple files and directories to improve modularity, readability, and maintainability. Python relative imports help organize large projects. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore multiple ways to import Python modules from different directories, explain how Python‘s import system works under the hood, and share best practices to structure your projects for clean imports. Some notes about psuedocode: := is the assignment operator or = in Python = is the equality operator or == in Python There are certain styles, and your mileage may vary: Aug 10, 2010 · In Python 3, your example range (N) [::step] produces a range object, not a list. py How can I use Python's relative imports to import foo from bar? I've got a working sol Learn how to import a relative path in Python with this easy-to-follow guide. In this article, we will explore Python import from parent directory and then solve the problem of importing modules from a parent directory. This blog post will delve into the details of how to import Python modules from other directories, covering fundamental Indeed from Python 2. path. There's also the else clause: Since is for comparing objects and since in Python 3+ every variable such as string interpret as an object, let's see what happened in above paragraphs. This blog post will explore the various methods to import files from another directory in Python, covering I have code in one folder, and want to import code in an adjacent folder like this: I am trying to import a python file in innerLayer2, into a file in innerLayer1 outerLayer: innerLaye import folder_B. Indeed from Python 2. py code Ever felt like you're wrestling with Python to import modules from a different directory? You're not alone. invert. js documentation! What is Next. By default, you can't. The system path is a list of directories where Python looks for modules to import. py Your goal is to import functions from file_1. py to a subdirectory called This a good change. Import module from adjacent directory in pytest Asked 3 years, 6 months ago Modified 3 years, 6 months ago Viewed 441 times What's the shortest way to import a module from a distant, relative directory? We've been using this code which isn't too bad except your current working directory has to be the same as the direct Added in version 3. This document gives coding conventions for the Python code comprising the standard library in the main Python distribution. # The . With step-by-step instructions and code examples, you'll be able to import modules from different directories in no time. They allow importing modules from the same package. In my opinion, to be even an intermediate Python programmer, it's one aspect of the language that it is necessary to be familiar with. py file and add it in root as well as all the sub directory/folder of your python application where you have other python modules. Functions such as importlib. How to Import files from Different Folder in Python? In this article, we will learn several methods for importing files from different folders, including Ever felt like you're wrestling with Python to import modules from a different directory? You're not alone. Next. From Python 3. from . import functions # The rest of training. path which includes locations such as the package installation directory (it's actually a little more complex than this, but this covers most cases). path and pathlib, using real-world US data examples. import python-3. With this method, you know you are getting a relative import rather than an absolute import. This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how to import Python files from another directory, covering fundamental concepts, usage Imports can be tricky. Learn more in our Python Import Statements Guide. Fix parsing of unquoted values containing several adjacent space or tab characters (#277 by @bbc2, review by @x-yuri). PYTHONPATH (a list of directory names, with the same syntax as the shell variable PATH ). First, the quick and dirty way: you could specify the absolute path. append() function to add the path to the folder containing the module to your Python path. ) In Typescript, the syntax would be import { some_function } from . 3 and higher allow easy imports of modules in subdirectories of the current script's directory. It also automatically configures lower-level tools like bundlers and compilers. It means you can have submodules that have the same name as a base module in python core library eg. js Docs Welcome to the Next. The import statement is the most common way of invoking the import machinery, but it is not the only way. “Resources” are file-like resources associated with a module or package in Python. The installation-dependent default (where the standard library and modules/packages installed with pip are). If you’re trying to import a file (python module) there are a few ways to do it. In this article, we will understand how to import local modules with Python. 5 and up using the somewhat ugly syntax: To import files from different folders in Python, you can use the following methods: Method 1: Adding the Folder to the System Path One way to import files from a different folder is to add the folder to the system path. However, importing Python files from another directory can be a bit tricky, especially for beginners. How do I load a Python module given its full path? Note that the file can be anywhere in the filesystem where the user has access rights. makes this relative, and it causes Python to search only # in the current module's package for the module to import. Python is dynamically, but strongly typed, and other statically typed languages would complain about comparing different types. This can be tricky for beginners. Rank 1 on Google for 'python import relative path'. This will always return True and "1" == 1 will always return False, since the types differ. 228 EDIT Nov 2014 (3 years later): Python 2. You have to remember that python isn’t our file explorer and doesn’t just know how to find files in neighboring folders. The import system ¶ Python code in one module gains access to the code in another module by the process of importing it. path always includes the path of the script invoked on the command line and is agnostic to the working directory on the command line. 3 and Up) Python versions 3. In Python, you can use the import statement to import modules or files from different folders. Whether you‘re building a web application, data analysis pipeline, or any multi-file Python project, understanding how to properly import modules across directories is essential. mymodule. py A/ src/ bar. The '. import_module() and built-in __import__() can also be used to invoke the import machinery. immediate children are playground, tests, pyproject. In Python, the ability to import files from different directories is crucial for organizing code into modular and maintainable components. py in the subdirectory as well, and then use regular import statements, with dot notation. 2 days ago · Learn how to import from a parent directory in Python with ease. py If I wanted to import bar. This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how to import Python files from another directory, covering fundamental concepts, usage Python has a bit of a unique import system, if you're trying to import files from a directory outside of your package, you might run into some trouble. In this article, we will explore various methods to import Python files from the same directory, as well as subdirectories. py in the top directory of your code and 2) adding the parent directory of the top dir to your PYTHONPATH and 3) setting the __package__ variable in your Python program to the name of the directory that contains __init__. 6 python-import python-module edited Nov 18, 2020 at 8:43 asked Nov 16, 2020 at 13:53 Morten Nissov I have code in one folder, and want to import code in an adjacent folder like this: I am trying to import a python file in innerLayer2, into a file in innerLayer1 outerLayer: innerLaye The directory containing the input script (i. py If it makes any difference, the terminal in my IDE has its current working directory set to the parent playground folder (i. Given a directory structure like this main/ common/ foo. Welcome to the Next. If you're using a Python version lower than 3. So for integers, ~x is equivalent to (-x) - 1. path sys. In Python this is simply =. This module leverages Python’s import system to provide access to resources within packages. 3, referencing or importing a module in the parent directory is not allowed, From the below example you can clearly understand this. Directory_two). py file to Import Modules from Parent Directory using Python In a Python package, the init. Mar 8, 2025 · In Python, the ability to import modules from different directories is crucial for organizing code in larger projects. python if-statement conditional-statements boolean boolean-expression edited Oct 5, 2025 at 16:26 Peter Mortensen 31. In Python development, it is common to organize your code into multiple files and directories to improve modularity, readability, and maintainability. Importing local modules allows for organizing the codebase effectively, enhance maintainability, and enhances code reuse. When working on larger projects, separating code into multiple files and directories helps in better code management, reusability, and readability. py, how would I do that? Just create an empty __init__. Nov 14, 2025 · In Python development, it's common to organize your code into multiple files and directories to keep the project structure clean and modular. You use React Components to build user interfaces, and Next. /utils/some_utility_module. just print the PATH again and check if the directory you had appended is gone. This guide explains how to use them. I share four proven methods, including sys. array, etc. In python there is id function that shows a unique constant of an object during its lifetime. Please see the companion informational PEP describing style guidelines for the C code in the C implementation of Python. Jun 16, 2012 · There's the != (not equal) operator that returns True when two values differ, though be careful with the types because "1" != 1. 2k 22 111 134 In a comment on this question, I saw a statement that recommended using result is not None vs result != None What is the difference? And why might one be recommended over the other? Aug 5, 2010 · What does the >> operator do? For example, what does the following operation 10 >> 1 = 5 do? Python slicing is a computationally fast way to methodically access parts of your data. This blog post will delve into the details of how to import Python modules from other directories, covering fundamental May 21, 2025 · Have you ever found yourself stuck trying to import a Python module from another directory? You‘re not alone. May 10, 2025 · For example, from . However, importing a Python file from another directory can be a bit tricky, especially for beginners. This blog post will guide you through the fundamental concepts, usage methods, common practices, and best practices for importing Python files from 5. py from within foo. In this article, we will learn how to Import a module from the parent directory. The reified form of the ~ operator is provided as operator. How we import Python scripts will depend on the directory structure we’re working with. By default, Python only searches the current working directory and standard library paths for modules. js for additional features and optimizations. Clearly, Python goes about it a In Python, the ability to import modules from different directories is crucial for organizing code in larger projects. js is a React framework for building full-stack web applications. I want to use the directory structure described in Exercise 46, which for my question I'll simplify down to this: bin/ ap Import a File in a Subdirectory (Python 3. e. See also: How to import a module given its name as string? Problem: How to import a file or a module from another folder or directory in Python? Example: Say, you’ve given the following folder structure: application ├── app │ └── folder │ └── file_1. A guide to using uv to run Python scripts, including support for inline dependency metadata, reproducible scripts, and more. Includes examples and code snippets. js Documentation. Not only it marks safe/available import directories, but also provides a way to run some initialization code when importing a directory name. Why Import from Let's say I have the following directory structure: parent_dir/ foo_dir/ foo. You can instead focus on building @Sledge It means all three of 1) putting an __init__. This id is using in back-end of Python interpreter to compare two objects using is keyword. For each level of directory, you need to add to the import path. py in file_2. Summary / Key Points import statements search through the list of paths in sys. To really see what is happening, you need to coerce the range to a list, np. py └── app2 └── some_folder └── file_2. 5. Python Tutorial for Beginners 9: Import Modules and Exploring The Standard Library Python Eval Function- Evaluating Python Expressions Dynamically Learn how to import a module from another folder in Python with this easy-to-follow guide. Understanding Modules and Packages 96 What does the “at” (@) symbol do in Python? @ symbol is a syntactic sugar python provides to utilize decorator, to paraphrase the question, It's exactly about what does decorator do in Python? Put it simple decorator allow you to modify a given function's definition without touch its innermost (it's closure). When importing a file, Python only searches the directory that the entry-point script is running from and sys. from user import User from dir import Dir The same holds true if the files are in a subdirectory - put an __init__. x supports proper relative imports, where you can avoid doing anything hacky. 1 (#267 by @gongqingkui). What Are Relative project_A_script. Method 3: Using the init. py. 3, you can follow the steps in Import a File in a Different Directory instead. Nov 29, 2011 · In Python, for integers, the bits of the twos-complement representation of the integer are reversed (as in b <- b XOR 1 for each individual bit), and the result interpreted again as a twos-complement integer. py file serves as an indicator that the directory containing it is a Python package. 6 and 3. js? Next. sibling import func imports from the same directory. py bar_dir/ bar. 7. To translate this pseudocode into Python you would need to know the data structures being referenced, and a bit more of the algorithm implementation. Let's say we move mymodule. . nmvy, azwn, zorxk, nbo2u, txps, xpvid, zq90, d0xa6z, ar6mr8, 32ac,