Good or bad practice in Python: import in the middle of a file [duplicate]

Answer 1

PEP8:

Imports are always put at the top of the file, just after any module comments and docstrings, and before module globals and constants.

It is not bad practice to have scopped imports. So that the import applies only to the function you used it in.

I think the code would be more readable though if the imports where grouped together at the top of the block or if you want it globally at the top of the file.

Answer 2

PEP 8 authoritatively states:

Imports are always put at the top of the file, just after any module comments and docstrings, and before module globals and constants.

PEP 8 should be the basis of any "in-house" style guide, since it summarizes what the core Python team has found to be the most effective style, overall (and with individual dissent of course, as on any other language, but consensus and the BDFL agree on PEP 8).

Answer 3

It is considered "Good Form" to group all imports together at the start of the file.

Modules can import other modules. It is customary but not required to place all import statements at the beginning of a module (or script, for that matter). The imported module names are placed in the importing module’s global symbol table.

From here: http://docs.python.org/tutorial/modules.html