Python Import Order

Question

The documentation for Python 2.7.10 states that

When a module named spam is imported, the interpreter first searches for a built-in module with that name. If not found, it then searches for a file named spam.py in a list of directories given by the variable sys.path

However this happens when I have a file site.py in my CWD:

import site
print(site.__file__)
>>> site.py

So obviously site was not identified as a builtin-module first, but imported from the CWD instead. Any ideas as to what might be wrong there?

Actually it is: docs.python.org/2/library/site.html However, my python behaves as described in the docs — synthomat
– synthomat, Commented Nov 16, 2015 at 14:19
Where in that doc do you see that it should be a builtin? A builtin module (like for example sys) does not have a .py file, site does come from site.py. — mata
– mata, Commented Nov 16, 2015 at 14:20
I have another machine running Python 2.7.3 however, and there Python behaves as described. I.e. it doesn't matter whether I have a site.py in the CWD or not, it's always imported from '/usr/lib/python2.7/site.pyc' — karlson
– karlson, Commented Nov 16, 2015 at 14:20
@karlson - is your PYTHONPATH set? site seems to be imported before the CWD is added to sys.path, but the PYTHONPATH env variable is added earlier if set. — mata
– mata, Commented Nov 16, 2015 at 14:46

poko · Accepted Answer · 2015-11-16 14:18:59Z

2

Are you sure site is built-in module?

import sys
sys.builtin_module_names

should give you built-in modules.

answered Nov 16, 2015 at 14:18

poko

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