How to reference python package when filename contains a period

python import module package python-import
Alexander Bird picture Alexander Bird · Dec 1, 2009 · Viewed 26.8k times · Source

I am using django and I have a file named models.admin.py and I want to do the following idea in models.py:

from "models.admin" import *

however, I get a syntax error for having double quotes. But if I just do 

from models.admin import *

then I get "ImportError: No module named admin"

Is there any way to import from a python file that has a period in its name?

Answer

Cat Plus Plus picture Cat Plus Plus · Dec 1, 2009

Actually, you can import a module with an invalid name. But you'll need to use imp for that, e.g. assuming file is named models.admin.py, you could do

import imp
with open('models.admin.py', 'rb') as fp:
    models_admin = imp.load_module(
        'models_admin', fp, 'models.admin.py',
        ('.py', 'rb', imp.PY_SOURCE)
    )

But read the docs on imp.find_module and imp.load_module before you start using it.

Related questions

Can't import my own modules in Python

I'm having a hard time understanding how module importing works in Python (I've never done it in any other language before either). Let's say I have: myapp/__init__.py myapp/myapp/myapp.py myapp/myapp/SomeObject.py myapp/tests/TestCase.…

Read More
Python: importing a sub‑package or sub‑module

Having already use flat packages, I was not expecting the issue I encountered with nested packages. Here is… Directory layout dir | +-- test.py | +-- package | +-- __init__.py | +-- subpackage | +-- __init__.py | +-- module.py Content of init.…

Read More
python import module from parent package

I have the following directory structure foo/ __init__.py settings.py bar/ __init__.py myfile.py In myfile.py I have: import settings I get the following error: ImportError: No module named settings, why? How can I efectively import the …

Read More