How to import a Python class that is in a directory above?

user129975 picture user129975 · Jun 28, 2009 · Viewed 218.5k times · Source

I want to inherit from a class in a file that lies in a directory above the current one.

Is it possible to relatively import that file?

Answer

gimel picture gimel · Jun 28, 2009

from ..subpkg2 import mod

Per the Python docs: When inside a package hierarchy, use two dots, as the import statement doc says:

When specifying what module to import you do not have to specify the absolute name of the module. When a module or package is contained within another package it is possible to make a relative import within the same top package without having to mention the package name. By using leading dots in the specified module or package after from you can specify how high to traverse up the current package hierarchy without specifying exact names. One leading dot means the current package where the module making the import exists. Two dots means up one package level. Three dots is up two levels, etc. So if you execute from . import mod from a module in the pkg package then you will end up importing pkg.mod. If you execute from ..subpkg2 import mod from within pkg.subpkg1 you will import pkg.subpkg2.mod. The specification for relative imports is contained within PEP 328.

PEP 328 deals with absolute/relative imports.