How to compile a string of Python code into a module whose functions can be called?

Question

In Python, I have a string of some Python source code containing functions like:

mySrc = \'\'\'
def foo():
    print(\"foo\")

def bar():
    print(\"bar\")
\'\'         


        

Answer 1

You have to both compile and execute it:

myMod = compile(mySrc, '', 'exec')
exec(myMod)
foo()

You can pass dicts to exec to stop foo from “leaking” out. Combine it with a module object created using types.ModuleType:

from types import ModuleType
…
compiled = compile(mySrc, '', 'exec')
module = ModuleType("testmodule")
exec(compiled, module.__dict__)