Import Local module over global python

Question

I have a 2 python files. One is trying to import the second. My problem is that the second is named math.py. I can not rename it. When I attempt to call a function that is l

Answer 1

Python processes have a single namespace of loaded modules. If you (or any other module) has already loaded the standard math module for any reason, then trying to load it again with import or __import__() will simply return a reference to the already-loaded module. You should be able to verify this using print id(math) and comparing with print id(command).

Although you've stated that you are unable to change the name of math.py, I suggest you can. You are getting the name of the module to load from the user. You can modify this before actually using the __import__() function to add a prefix. For example:

command = __import__("cmd_" + cstr)

Then, rename math.py to cmd_math.py and you will avoid this conflict.

Answer 2

You could use relative imports:

from . import math

http://docs.python.org/tutorial/modules.html#intra-package-references