How to use functions from a custom module in Python Django shell

Question

I have a python file called my_functions.py in which I have the following code:

from core.models import Blog

def news(): 
    b = Blog(name='New Blog', tagline='All the latest news.')
    b.save()

My main app folder in django is called core and I have put my python file in there. In the shell I am able to do the import: from core import my_functions However I get an error AttributeError: module 'core.my_functions' has no attribute 'news' when I try to run the code my_functions.news(). How can I run the news function in the shell?

My tree structure is as follows:

core
    -__init__.py
    -admin.py
    -apps.py
    -models.py
    -my_functions.py
    -tests.py
    -urls.py
    -views.py

Everthing else works as normal but I just cant seem to figure why I cant do this simple import and run the function. I'm using VSCode.

Try this from yourjangoapp.core import my_functions. Maybe core is part of some library and that could potentionally import wrong module. — devaerial
– devaerial, Commented Jan 29, 2019 at 14:35
@xbound that would raise core has no attribute my_functions — C.Nivs
– C.Nivs, Commented Jan 29, 2019 at 14:36
@dirkgroten Thanks I've corrected that in the question. Error still there though — West
– West, Commented Jan 29, 2019 at 14:39

dirkgroten · Accepted Answer · 2019-01-29 16:35:15Z

3

Make sure there's an __init__.py file in the core directory. Then:

from core.my_functions import news

Also you have to restart your shell if you make changes to any file in your project, since the django shell will load all modules in memory at launch time.

edited Jan 29, 2019 at 16:35

answered Jan 29, 2019 at 14:34

dirkgroten

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7 Comments

West Over a year ago

I get an error on that: ImportError: cannot import name 'news'

West Over a year ago

Yes the init.py file is there

dirkgroten Over a year ago

then we don't have information. This has to work if you have my_functions.py file at the same level as __init__.py. and if core is registered app in your django settings.

West Over a year ago

Oh I restarted VS code and it works now with your statement. Thanks! So why does importing as I did above not work?

dirkgroten Over a year ago

you have to restart your shell when you make changes. Once you've read a file, it's in memory. You don't have to restart VS code, just restart the shell.

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jturi · Accepted Answer · 2019-10-15 09:58:05Z

Create your file and write your function. In my case was:

# /home/$(USER)/repos/bo/apps/base/queries.py
# "apps.base", added to INSTALLED_APPS list in settings.py

from apps.base.models import Player
from core.models import Blog

def news(): 
    b = Blog(name='New Blog', tagline='All the latest news.')
    b.save()
    return b


def count_player_overs():
    all_playerovers = Player.objects.all()
    count_all_playerovers = all_playerovers.count()
    return count_all_playerovers


print('count_all_playerovers: {}'.format(count_player_overs()))
print('saved news object: {}'.format(news()))

# this folder has manage.py
cd /home/$(USER)/repos/bo/

And run:

./manage.py shell -c "from apps.base import queries;"

Result:

count_all_playerovers: 376

saved news object: New Blog

You can change the code and run again ./manage.py shell -c "from apps.base import queries;" and it will re-import the module and run the function with all your changes.

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