[Python-Dev] import problems (original) (raw)

Christian Heimes lists at cheimes.de
Fri Nov 28 17:30:49 CET 2008

Steven D'Aprano wrote:

However, having disagreed with your arguments, I will say this: I think a "tail" argument to import would be more elegant:

z = import('x.y.z', tail=True) # or submodule in your initial post I think that it is unintuitive that import(x.y.z) returns module x instead of z. When I say "get me the book inside the box inside the wardrobe", I expect to get the book, not the entire wardrobe! So even though I disagree with all your criticisms of the three-line idiom, I think there is an elegance to your idea that the three-line idiom doesn't have. I'm +0.5 on the idea of an extra argument that says, "no, really, just give me the book, I don't need the wardrobe".

May I point you to the two leading underscores? The name 'import' clearly suggests that the function is part of Python's internals. By definition all attributes of the form * are not meant to be used directly. Any suggestion to change the arguments of import() are futile. It's not going to happen unless the feature is required by Python's internal import system.

However I agree that something should be done here. I suggest to add a function to the imp module that does what you are trying to archive with tail=True.

Christian

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