Importing and Using Modules

In Python, a module is a collection of functions, variables, and other objects that have been defined in a separate file and can be imported into your Python code. Modules allow you to reuse code, divide your code into logical units, and abstract away implementation details.

Importing Modules

To import a module in Python, you use the “import” keyword followed by the name of the module. For example, to import the “math” module, you can use the following code:

import math

Once you have imported a module, you can access its functions and variables using the “dot” notation. For example, to use the “sqrt” function from the “math” module, you can use the following code:

import math

result = math.sqrt(4)
print(result)

The output of this code will be “2.0”.

You can also import specific functions or variables from a module using the “from” keyword. For example, to import only the “sqrt” function from the “math” module, you can use the following code:

from math import sqrt

result = sqrt(4)
print(result)

You can also use the “as” keyword to give a function or variable a different name when you import it. For example, to import the “sqrt” function from the “math” module and give it the name “square_root”, you can use the following code:

from math import sqrt as square_root

result = square_root(4)
print(result)

To import all functions and variables from a module, you can use the “*” symbol. However, it is generally a good idea to import only the specific functions and variables that you need, as it can make your code easier to understand and maintain.

Installing Third-Party Modules

In addition to the built-in modules that come with Python, you can also install third-party modules using the “pip” package manager. To install a third-party module, you can use the following command:

pip install module_name

For example, to install the “requests” module, you can use the following command:

pip install requests

Once you have installed a third-party module, you can import it into your Python code in the same way as you would import a built-in module.

Conclusion

Using modules can significantly improve the organization and reuse of your code. It is an important concept to understand in Python, and one that you will encounter frequently as you continue to learn and develop your Python skills.

Exercises

Here are some exercises with solutions to help you practice what you just learned:

import math

from module_name import function_name as new_name

from math import sqrt as square_root

from module_name import *

from math import *

pip install module_name

pip install requests

import requests