A package in Python

Photo by Clément Hélardot on Unsplash

A package in Python is a way of structuring Python’s module namespace by using “dotted module names”. In simpler terms, a package is a collection of Python modules under a common namespace. This is achieved by having one or more modules in a directory with a special __init__.py file.

Key Features of Python Packages

1. Hierarchical structuring: Packages allow for a hierarchical structuring of the module namespace using dot notation. For instance, in a package named mypackage, a submodule might be called mypackage.mymodule.
2. Organization: Packages help organize related modules together under a common namespace, making it easier to understand and navigate the codebase.
3. Reusability: By grouping related modules, packages make it easier to share and reuse code among different projects.
4. Namespace management: Packages avoid conflicts between global variable names across different modules by providing isolated namespaces.

Example: Creating and Using a Python Package

Let’s create a simple package to demonstrate how packages work in Python.

Structure

Suppose we have a directory structure like this:

mypackage/
│
├── __init__.py
└── mymodule.py