argparse module not working in Python

Question

I'm trying to get the argparse module working in Python. My problem is that on a fresh install, I get the following:

File "test.py", line 3, in <module>
import argparse
File "/home/jon/Pythons/realmine/argparse.py", line 3, in <module>
parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description='Short sample app')
AttributeError: 'module' object has no attribute 'ArgumentParser'

test.py is:

import argparse

Clearly, I'm missing something. Can anyone help?

How can test.py contain a single line when the error references line 3? — Michael Mior
– Michael Mior, Commented Jul 7, 2011 at 4:53

DSM · Accepted Answer · 2011-07-07 04:49:38Z

77

Usually this symptom is the result of shadowing a builtin module with one of your own. And from the error message:

File "/home/jon/Pythons/realmine/argparse.py", line 3, in <module>

it looks like you have your own module argparse.py, which is causing the problem, because it's the one which test.py is trying to import, and which lacks ArgumentParser. Rename your argparse.py to something else (and remove any .py[c/o] files).

answered Jul 7, 2011 at 4:49

DSM

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9 Comments

tadasajon Over a year ago

interestingly, I made exactly the same bozo move and this SO thread solved my problem in seconds.

Profpatsch Over a year ago

Haha, who do you tell that? Nice to see I’m not the only moron around. :D

user1767754 Over a year ago

Its interesting how many people are doing the same sandbox naming

jason adams Over a year ago

add me to this list of morons ;)

Moshiour Over a year ago

he he i did the same and needed to come stackoverflow now the feeling is the same. lol

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