How do you import a module on one level higher?

Question

For:

app/
__init__.py
abc.py
  mod/
  __init__.py
  def.py

How would I import abc.py from def.py?

possible duplicate of [Python Import from parent directory](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4542352/python-import-from-parent-directory) — Wooble, Mar 09 '11 at 14:58

score 8 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 21 '12 at 13:59

8

to import module 'abc.py' that is in the parent directory of your current module:

import os
parentdir = os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
os.sys.path.insert(0,parentdir) 
import abc

answered Mar 21 '12 at 13:59

Remi

kriss · Answer 2 · 2011-03-09T16:53:44.443

2

in module def if you want to import say abc just do:

from ..abc import *

Note: as def is a python keyword, using that name for a module does not sound like a good idea.

edited Mar 09 '11 at 16:53

answered Mar 09 '11 at 14:55

kriss

I get an invalid syntax error when doing `import ..abc` and a Attempted relative import error if I try to `from ..abc import testfunc`. – EroSan Mar 09 '11 at 15:14
The second syntax is the right one for relative imports I was a bit too fast to answer. I use it, but in deployed modules. I believe it does not work if you try to run python file directly from command line. – kriss Mar 09 '11 at 16:52

2 Answers2