How to initialise a python module?

Question

I have a python module ('my_module.py') and in it two functions 'A' and 'B'.

They both require a 3rd module (say pandas).

Is there a way to load pandas as part of the module so it'll be accessible to both functions? (trying to avoid importing pandas per function call...)

Or do I have to convert this into a package and load pandas as part of the init? (trying to avoid that since I don't want an extra directory...)

Answer 1

Just import pandas at the start of the module.

It will be imported (and initialized) when my_module.py is imported or run, and it will be available for both functions. If several modules use pandas, import it at the start of each one - it will be imported only once per interpreter session.

Mockup example of mymodule.py:

import pandas
def A(foo):
 return pandas.do_something(foo)
def B(bar):
 return pandas.do_something_else(bar)

• user2808117: I tried putting 'import pandas as pd' in the begining of my module but keep getting: NameError: global name 'pd' is not defined
• Tim Pietzcker: @user2808117: You need to do that outside of any function, at the top level of the module.
• user2808117: for some reason one of the parameters passed to the functions triggered that error and it wasn't an imported related one. Sorry.

Answer 2

Use import pandas in your module my_module.py.

Inside your my_module.py

def A(sth):
 return pandas.module(sth)

And similarly for B