Package
in Python
What is Package?
• They are simply directories, but with a twist. Each package in Python is a
directory which MUST contain a special file called __init__.py . This file can
be empty, and it indicates that the directory it contains is a Python package,
so it can be imported the same way a module can be imported.
Difference between Package and module
• A package is a collection of Python modules: while a module is a
single Python file,
• a package is a directory of Python modules containing an additional
__init__.py file, to distinguish a package from a directory that just happens
to contain a bunch of Python scripts.
How to create package
• create a folder with the name 'mypackage'.
• create an empty __init__.py file in the mypackage folder.
• Using a Python editor like IDLE, create modules a.py and b.py with
following code:
a.py
def fun(name):
print("Hello " + name)
return
b.py
def sum(x,y):
return x+y
def average(x,y):
return (x+y)/2
def power(x,y):
return x**y
to test package
• >>> from mypackage import b
• >>>b.power(3,2)
• 9
• >>> from mypackage.b import sum
• >>> sum(10,20)
• 30
_init_.py
a.py
mypackage
b.py
The package folder contains a special file called __init__.py, which stores the package's content. It serves two purposes:
1.The Python interpreter recognizes a folder as the package if it contains __init__.py file.
2.__init__.py is essential for the folder to be recognized by Python as a package.
The __init__.py file is normally kept empty. However, it can also be used to choose specific
functions from modules in the package folder and make them available for import.
_init_.py
from .b import average, power
from .a import fun
create test.py in myapp to test mypackage.
from mypackage import power, average, fun
fun()
x=power(3,2)
print("power(3,2) : ", x)
