Difference between "import X" and "from X import *"?

python import difference
temporary_user_name picture temporary_user_name · Sep 4, 2012 · Viewed 30.6k times · Source

In Python, I'm not really clear on the difference between the following two lines of code:

import X

or

from X import *

Don't they both just import everything from the module X? What's the difference?

Answer

BrenBarn picture BrenBarn · Sep 4, 2012

After import x, you can refer to things in x like x.something. After from x import *, you can refer to things in x directly just as something. Because the second form imports the names directly into the local namespace, it creates the potential for conflicts if you import things from many modules. Therefore, the from x import * is discouraged.

You can also do from x import something, which imports just the something into the local namespace, not everything in x. This is better because if you list the names you import, you know exactly what you are importing and it's easier to avoid name conflicts.

Related questions

Call a function from another file?

Set_up: I have a .py file for each function I need to use in a program. In this program, I need to call the function from the external files. I've tried: from file.py import function(a,b) But …

Read More
Import Error: No module named numpy

I have a very similar question to this question, but still one step behind. I have only one version of Python 3 installed on my Windows 7 (sorry) 64-bit system. I installed numpy following this link - as suggested in the question. …

Read More
`from ... import` vs `import .`

I'm wondering if there's any difference between the code fragment from urllib import request and the fragment import urllib.request or if they are interchangeable. If they are interchangeable, which is the "standard"/"preferred" syntax (if there is one)?

Read More