Python Modules vs Packages

In this article, we’ll look at the distinctions between Python modules vs packages.  Let’s take a quick look at what they’re both about before we get into their differences. Let’s start with modules in Python.

Modules in Python

A module is a file with the extension.py that contains Python or C executable code. A module is made up of a number of Python statements and expressions. Modules allow us to use pre-defined variables, functions, and classes. This cuts down on development time and allows code to be reused. The majority of modules are intended to tackle specific difficulties for developers and are designed to be succinct and straightforward.

Creating a Module in Python

We can create a module by writing some code in a file and saving that file in a .py extension.

Let us create a module named pythongeeks.py.

Example of module in Python

def display():
    print("PythonGeeks")
if __name__ == "__main__":
    display()

Output

Importing a Module in Python

We can import a module by using the import keyword

Example of importing a module in Python

import pythongeeks
pythongeeks.display()

Output

We can import every object in a module by using the asterisk * operator. 

Example of importing a module in Python

from pythongeeks import * 
display()

Output

Likewise, we can import a specific function from a module.

Example of importing a module in Python

from pythongeeks import display 
display()

Output

We can also alias a module while importing

Example of importing a module in Python

import pythongeeks as pg
pg.display()

Output

dir() in Python

Python has a built-in function called dir(). It accepts a module name as an input and returns a sorted list of all attributes and functions contained in the provided module.

Example of dir() in Python

import pythongeeks

print(dir(pythongeeks))

Output

How Does Python Import a Module

To import a module, Python first searches in the current directory. If the module doesn’t exist in the current directory, it then searches in all the directories present in the PYTHONPATH variable. If it still can’t find the directory, it then proceeds to the default directory. It raises a ModuleNotFoundError if it doesn’t find the module in any of the mentioned directories.  We can see all the directories in the PYTHONPATH variable by using the following code.

Example of PYTHONPATH variable in Python

from os import environ, pathsep

print(environ['PYTHONPATH'].split(pathsep))

Output

Packages in Python

To provide an application development environment, a python package establishes a hierarchical directory structure with several modules and sub-packages. They are nothing more than a bundle of modules and sub-packages.

Creating and Importing a Package

To create a Python package, we need to create a directory with a __init__.py file and a module. Suppose we have created a package named website with the previously created module pythongeeks.py in it. We can import the website package by using the import keyword and a dot operator.

Example of importing a package in Python

import website.pythongeeks

pythongeeks.display()

Output

Similar to modules, we can also alias while importing. 

Example of importing a package in Python

import website.pythongeeks as pg

pg.display()

Output

Python Modules vs Packages

The following are some of the distinctions between Modules and Packages: 

• A Package is a directory containing numerous modules and sub-packages, whereas a Module is a.py file containing Python code. 
• An __init__  .py file is required to create a package. There is no such necessity when it comes to creating modules.
• We can import all objects in a module at once by using the asterisk (*) operator but we can’t import all modules in a package at once.

Packages and Modules and Functions

The principle is the same for functions, modules, and packages. They want to make it as simple as possible for code to be reused. 

Their core idea is the same, despite the fact that they appear and operate differently. 

Multiple Python statements and expressions make up a function.  Multiple Python functions make up a module and multiple Python modules make up a Package. The below image illustrates this precisely.

Python Interview Questions on Python Modules vs Packages

Q1. Write a program to import the math module and print the pi value.

Ans 1. Complete code is as follows:

import math

print(math.pi)

Output

Q2. Write a program to import all the objects in the random module and print a random integer between 20 and 30 (including).

Ans 2. Complete code is as follows:

from random import *

print(randint(20, 30))

Output

Q3.  Write a program to import the numpy package and print the log value of 10.

Ans 3. Complete code is as follows:

import numpy

print(numpy.log(10))

Output

Q4. Write a program to import the sub-package plotting from the package pandas and print the first 3 elements of the list returned by dir() function.

Ans 4. Complete code is as follows:

import pandas.plotting

print(dir(pandas.plotting)[:3])

Output

Q5. Create a package human with a module man.py. The module contains a function walk() that prints the string “Man is walking”.  Create a main.py and run the function after importing the module from the package.

Ans 5. Complete code is as follows:

File: human/man.py

Code

def walk():

    print("Man is walking")

File: main.py

Code

from human.man import walk

walk()

Output

 

Conclusion

In this article, we learned the differences between python modules and python packages. We also discussed the similarities between them. If you have any further queries, please post them in the comments area.