What is the point of __ init __ py?

What is the point of __ init __ py?

The __init__.py files are required to make Python treat directories containing the file as packages. This prevents directories with a common name, such as string , unintentionally hiding valid modules that occur later on the module search path.

What is inside __ init __ py?

The __init__.py file makes Python treat directories containing it as modules. Furthermore, this is the first file to be loaded in a module, so you can use it to execute code that you want to run each time a module is loaded, or specify the submodules to be exported.

Can you put code in init py?

3 Answers. All imports in __init__.py are made available when you import the package (directory) that contains it. EDIT: forgot to mention, the code in __init__.py runs the first time you import any module from that directory. So it’s normally a good place to put any package-level initialisation code.

What is use of file __ init __ PY in a package even when it is empty?

What is __init__.py? The __init__.py file lets the Python interpreter know that a directory contains code for a Python module. An __init__.py file can be blank. Without one, you cannot import modules from another folder into your project.

What does empty init py do?

1 Answer. Empty files are perfectly fine: The __init__.py files are required to make Python treat the directories as containing packages; this is done to prevent directories with a common name, such as string, from unintentionally hiding valid modules that occur later on the module search path.

Can a Python package be created without an init.py file?

It is true that Python 3.3+ supports Implicit Namespace Packages that allows it to create a package without an __init__.py file. This is called a namespace package in contrast to a regular package which does have an __init__.py file (empty or not empty). However, creating a namespace package should ONLY be done if there is a need for it.

What does init.py mean in Python?

It used to be that the very presence of __init__.py signified to Python that a package was being defined. The file could contain initialization code or even be empty, but it had to be present.

Why do I need to create a Python package?

A Python package is simply an organized collection of python modules. A python module is simply a single python file. Why would I want to create a package using __init__.py? Creating a package with __init__.py is all about making it easier to develop larger Python projects.

Is the init file empty in Python 3.3 +?

@Mike’s answer is correct but too imprecise. It is true that Python 3.3+ supports Implicit Namespace Packages that allows it to create a package without an __init__.py file. This is called a namespace package in contrast to a regular package which does have an __init__.py file (empty or not empty).