python - using init.py for modules in multiple dirs

Question

I'm having a hard time understanding this.

Lets assume I have a directory tree that looks like this:

~/speech
-- __init__.py
-- program.py
----------------
~/speech/parts
----__init__.py
----noun.py
----verb.py
----------------
~/speech/sentence
----__init__.py
----subject.py
----predicate.py

the __init__.py files are blank. I created them by issuing $ touch __init__.py
when i try to import anything, I get NameError: 'whatever' not defined. I've tried the whatever as both the directory name, and the individual file names.

every other problem i've had in python has been because I'm over-thinking things and trying to make it more complicated than it really is. ( curse the c++ habits! )

When I read the tidbit from the python site that discusses the module search path, I get the feeling that it looks in ~/speech, ~/speech/parts, etc. When i say "import anything" i meant to convey that i can not import anything that's not in either /usr/local/lib/python or the dir where I issued python ./program.py When i'm creating a new program, where else should I be putting it other than in ~/someDirNameForPython? It doesn't make since (nor is it proper) to put it directly in the lib's while in devel — brad
– brad, Commented Apr 5, 2011 at 4:52

Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-05 03:46:32Z

1

Unless ~ is your current directory or is in sys.path (which it shouldn't be) you won't be able to use any packages contained in it, including speech and its subpackages. Put the directory structure somewhere sane and add that path to $PYTHONPATH.

answered Apr 5, 2011 at 3:46

Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams

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Rafael Ferreira · Accepted Answer · 2011-04-07 03:41:34Z

1

you can quickly add your current directory to the python search path with:

export PYTHONPATH=$(pwd)

Here's some background information you should read:

Python's Module Search Path

edited Apr 7, 2011 at 3:41

answered Apr 5, 2011 at 4:18

Rafael Ferreira

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markusschmitz · Accepted Answer · 2011-12-28 00:40:14Z

1

Ok, i finally figured it out.

If I want it to look like "java-style classes", then I import via:

import parts.noun  
import sentence.subject  
parts.noun.defineNouns()  
sentence.subject.thePersonOrThing()

If I want it to look more like C/++ style lib call, then I import via:

from parts.noun import defineNouns  
from sentence.subject import thePersonOrThing  
defineNouns()  
thePersonOrThing()

*sigh* it's so simple, it's hard.

edited Dec 28, 2011 at 0:40

markusschmitz

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answered Apr 5, 2011 at 6:29

brad

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