How to Create Namespace Packages in Python for Modular Library Distribution?

Creating Namespace Packages in Python

Namespace packages in Python allow you to distribute related libraries as separate downloads while maintaining a coherent namespace. To define a namespace package, follow these steps:

Pre-Python 3.3:

For Python versions prior to 3.3, use one of the following methods:

• pkgutil.extend_path(): This method adds namespace packages to the search path of a regular package.

<code class="python">from pkgutil import extend_path
__path__ = extend_path(__path__, __name__)</code>

• pkg_resources.declare_namespace(): This method declares a directory as a namespace package. However, it does not work with implicit namespace packages introduced in Python 3.3 and later.

Python 3.3 and Later:

To create an implicit namespace package, simply omit the __init__.py file in the namespace package directory. This method is preferred as it is both future-proof and compatible with explicit namespace packages.

Example:

Consider the following directory structure:

Package-1/
    namespace/
        module1/
            __init__.py
Package-2/
    namespace/
        module2/
            __init__.py

In this example, both Package-1 and Package-2 can define modules within the namespace namespace:

<code class="python">import namespace.module1
import namespace.module2</code>

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