Python's "import" loads a Python module into its own namespace, so that you have to add the module name followed by a dot in front of references to any names from the imported module that you refer to:

import feathers
duster = feathers.ostrich("South Africa")

"from" loads a Python module into the current namespace, so that you can refer to it without the need to mention the module name again:

from feathers import *
duster = ostrich("South Africa")

or

from feathers import ostrich
duster = ostrich("South Africa")

Q Why are both import and from provided? Can't I always use from?

A If you were to load a lot of modules using from, you would find sooner or later that there was a conflict of names; from is fine for a small program but if it was used throughout a big program, you would hit problems from time to time

Q Should I always use import then?

A No ... use import most of the time, but use from is you want to refer to the members of a module many, many times in the calling code; that way, you save yourself having to write "feather." (in our example) time after time, but yet you don't end up with a cluttered namespace. You could describe this approach as being the best of both worlds.

(written 2005-08-18, updated 2008-05-17)

 Y105 - Python - Functions, Modules and Packages
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  [2440] Optional parameters to Python functions - (2009-10-07)
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  [2011] Conversion of OSI grid references to Eastings and Northings - (2009-01-28)
  [1879] Dynamic code - Python - (2008-11-11)
  [1871] Optional and named parameters in Python - (2008-11-05)
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Y200 - Python - using functions, objects and modules.

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