Python import trouble

Question

I am having some trouble importing a class from a particular module. The class is in the module my_module1.my_module2.my_module3.my_module4.my_module5.my_module6.my_module7

This code works

import my_module1.my_module2.my_module3.my_module4.my_module5.my_module6.my_module7

which means to access my class I have to do

my_module1.my_module2.my_module3.my_module4.my_module5.my_module6.my_module7.MyClass

But this does not

from my_module1.my_module2.my_module3.my_module4.my_module5.my_module6.my_module7 import MyClass

Neither does this

import my_module1.my_module2.my_module3.my_module4.my_module5.my_module6.my_module7 as my_name

Both Give this error saying

AttributeError: 'module' object has no attribute my_module7'

This has me completely stumped and I have been working on it for a couple of weeks now. Any suggestions?

EDIT - I cant change the structure unfortunately as it is imposed by the system I am using

Answer 1

Looks like a circular import.

Gordon McMillan says: Circular imports are fine where both modules use the "import " form of import. They fail when the 2nd module wants to grab a name out of the first ("from module import name") and the import is at the top level. That’s because names in the 1st are not yet available, because the first module is busy importing the 2nd.

• Chris Pfohl: +1 I should have thought of that. Good suggestion, we'll see where it winds up.
• Jim Jeffries: Yes, this is a circular import. I need to access a class variable from the class I am trying to import. What would you suggest to get around this? Am I best off rethinking the design a bit?
• toc777: Well, to get around it you just need to move your import from the top level into a function or class. A redesign might be best but thats your call.

Answer 2

I think you may want to consider an alternate design in the first place (redesigning your module breakdown so it's a flatter setup), but as that isn't your question try:

import my_module1.my_module2.my_modu...<etc>
my_name = my_module1.my_module2.my_modu...<etc>
my_name.MyClass

A module is a first class object in python, so you can alias them with variables.

• Jim Jeffries: This code gives the AttributeError: 'module' object has no attribute my_module7' on the line with the my_name = ...
• Chris Pfohl: Can you try this: import my_module1.my_module2.my_module..... dir(my_module1.my_mod....my_module6) obviously fill in the full paths! Let me know what it says
• Jim Jeffries: I get an AttributeError on that line now! (the one with the dir(...))
• Chris Pfohl: And definitely check out toc's suggestion: you aren't circularly importing stuff are you?
• Chris Pfohl: Do your modules import each other?