Use 'import module' or 'from module import'?

Question

I\'ve tried to find a comprehensive guide on whether it is best to use import module or from module import. I\'ve just started with Python and I\'m

Answer 1

import package
import module

With import, the token must be a module (a file containing Python commands) or a package (a folder in the sys.path containing a file __init__.py.)

When there are subpackages:

import package1.package2.package
import package1.package2.module

the requirements for folder (package) or file (module) are the same, but the folder or file must be inside package2 which must be inside package1, and both package1 and package2 must contain __init__.py files. https://docs.python.org/2/tutorial/modules.html

With the from style of import:

from package1.package2 import package
from package1.package2 import module

the package or module enters the namespace of the file containing the import statement as module (or package) instead of package1.package2.module. You can always bind to a more convenient name:

a = big_package_name.subpackage.even_longer_subpackage_name.function

Only the from style of import permits you to name a particular function or variable:

from package3.module import some_function

is allowed, but

import package3.module.some_function 

is not allowed.