How Can I Import Functions from Separate Directories in Python?

Importing Files from Separate Directories

When manipulating files from various folders, it can be challenging to import functions from one file into another. This is encountered in various directory structures, often involving nested folders and multiple files.

Consider the directory structure below:

application
├── app
│   └── folder
│       └── file.py
└── app2
    └── some_folder
        └── some_file.py

In this scenario, how can one import a function (e.g., func_name) defined in file.py from within some_file.py? While the intuitive method of from application.app.folder.file import func_name may seem plausible, it often yields errors.

By default, Python only examines the directory where the entry-point script (the one being executed) resides and the sys.path, which includes the path to the package installation. If the required file is outside of these locations, the import fails.

However, it is possible to extend Python's search path dynamically:

# some_file.py
import sys

# appending search path
sys.path.insert(1, '/path/to/application/app/folder')

# importing file and function
import file
func_name()

By inserting the directory containing file.py into the search path, Python can now successfully import it. This approach allows flexible handling of files across different directories, making it a valuable solution when working with segregated file structures.

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