python: how to use 'import' on character string variable? [duplicate]

Question

I want to create a function which uses import, like the following:

    def test_module(module_name):
            try:
                    import module_name
            except ImportError:
                    print 'import '+module_name+' error'


    test_module('os')

however, the function doesn't work because import seems not to recognize the string variable. are there any workarounds?

thanks!

vaultah · Accepted Answer · 2014-04-07 16:38:04Z

2

imported = __import__(module_name) will work.

Or you can use importlib.import_module.

The difference is in convenience: in case of import like module_name = 'top.lower'

__import__ will return top, whereas importlib.import_module will return lower:

>>> __import__('os.path')
<module 'os' from nowhere>
>>> importlib.import_module('os.path')
<module 'ntpath' from nowhere>

edited Apr 7, 2014 at 16:38

answered Apr 7, 2014 at 16:24

vaultah

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1 Comment

user2555451 Over a year ago

(I did not downvote). Your syntax is wrong. It should be imported = __import__(module_name). That said, the preferred method is to use importlib.import_module.

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