sys.path

The list of folders Python searches, in order, when it imports a module.

In more detail

The first entry is the folder of the script that was run, so a file of your own can shadow a standard module. The first match wins. Because sys.path is an ordinary list, a program can append a folder to it before importing from there.

Example

import sys
sys.path.append('/opt/libs')
import helper

Related terms

• import statement — A statement that makes code from another module or package available by name in the current file.
• module — A file of code whose functions, classes and variables other files can use by importing it.
• sys module — The standard library module through which a program asks the running interpreter about itself.

Taught in

• Import Variants, dir() And sys.path — PCAP Certified Associate in Python Programming (PCAP-31-03) Exam Prep
• Modules Sprint — PCAP Certified Associate in Python Programming (PCAP-31-03) Exam Prep

References

• Python tutorial: The module search path

Certification courses

• PCAP course and practice exam: Certified Associate in Python Programming