import all functions vs. import specific function

Question

In Python,

import shutil, os

allows me to call os.environ, os.path.exists(folder), os.listdir(pool), shutil.rmtree(folder) and shutil.copyree(). It seems that I call any function, defined in those modules. Nevertheless, I cannot call ctime() once I have imported import time. I must import ctime explicitly, by

from time import ctime

Why is such inconsistency? I find it difficult to program in such unpredictability.

Not sure what you are doing, but `time.ctime()` works just *fine*. Did you perhaps use `from time import time` or otherwise rebound `time` to something else? — Martijn Pieters, Nov 13 '13 at 11:17

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 13 '13 at 11:19

1

from time import ctime allows to call ctime() directly, without time.ctime() prefix. It is me, who was inconsistent comparing fully qualified names os.listdir() with ctime() alone.

answered Nov 13 '13 at 11:19

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It's all about namespaces. :) – shad0w_wa1k3r Nov 13 '13 at 11:19

import all functions vs. import specific function

1 Answers1