pylint false positive E0401 import errors in vscode while using venv

Question

I created a venv using python3.6 on my mac os in this folder /Users/kim/Documents/Apps/PythonApps/python36-miros-a3

I ran a pip install pylint

Answer 1

Pylint has some quirks. In this case it doesn't know where to find your module because it's in subdirectory of your venv path. To solve this:

1. Put this setting in your workspace or folder settings:

   "python.linting.pylintArgs": [
       "--init-hook",
       "import sys; sys.path.append('')"
   ]
   

   or, maybe better

2. Generate .pylintrc file. From integrated terminal with venv activated run:

   pylint --generate-rcfile > .pylintrc 
   

   then open the generated file and uncomment the init-hook= part to be:

   init-hook='import sys; sys.path.append("")'
   

   Read the .pylintrc and tweak settings if you wish. In both cases path should point to your 'database' folder.

3. After learning about pylint settings, do it the right way:

   from database.database_dispatcher import ...
   

   See this answer by Anthony Sottile.