How to create a module object by content in Python

Question

I have a string which contains a python code. Is there a way to create a python module object using the string without an additional file?

content = "import math\n\ndef f(x):\n    return math.log(x)"

my_module = needed_function(content) # <- ???

print my_module.f(2) # prints 0.6931471805599453

Please, don't suggest using eval or exec. I need a python module object exactly. Thanks!

I just wonder why you'd *need* a real separate module for that. — WorldSEnder, Sep 11 '15 at 14:06

wap26 · Accepted Answer · 2015-09-11T14:09:47.473

8

You can create an empty modules with imp module then load your code in the module with exec.

content = "import math\n\ndef f(x):\n    return math.log(x)"

import imp
my_module = imp.new_module('my_module')
exec content in my_module.__dict__ # in python 3, use exec() function

print my_module.f(2)

This is my answer, but I do not recommend using this in an actual application.

edited Sep 11 '15 at 14:09

answered Sep 11 '15 at 14:02

wap26

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This is the correct answer. Of course, you should never ever do this. – Jordan Dimov Sep 11 '15 at 14:03
just learned about `exec .. in ..`, "nice" – WorldSEnder Sep 11 '15 at 14:08
how would you do it now, once `imp` module is deprecated and up for removal in 3.12? – winwin May 02 '23 at 10:19

How to create a module object by content in Python

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