Python Modules: Importing and Using Built-in and User-defined Modules

Published on May 15, 2025 by Aman K Sahu

Importing Built-in Modules

🔹 Use the import statement to include built-in Python modules.

import math
print(math.sqrt(16)) # Output: 4.0

🔸 You can import specific functions or variables using from ... import ....

from math import pi, pow
print(pi) # Output: 3.141592653589793
print(pow(2, 3)) # Output: 8.0

Using Aliases

🔹 Use as to rename modules or functions when importing.

import numpy as np
arr = np.array([1, 2, 3])
print(arr)

User-defined Modules

🔹 Create your own Python file (module) and import it.

For example, create mymodule.py:

# mymodule.py
def greet(name):
    print("Hello, " + name)

Then import and use it in another file:

import mymodule
mymodule.greet("Alice")

Module Search Path

🔹 Python searches for modules in the directories listed in sys.path.

import sys
print(sys.path)

🔸 Make sure your user-defined module is in one of these directories or the current working directory.

Summary

  • Use import to load modules.
  • Use from ... import ... to import specific components.
  • Use as to alias modules or functions.
  • User-defined modules can be imported as long as they are in the search path.
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