Accessing code in adjacent files

Question

I have code in one folder, and want to import code in an adjacent folder like this:

I am trying to import a python file in innerLayer2, into a file in innerLayer1 outerLayer: innerLayer1 main.py innerLayer2 functions.py

I created the following function to solve my problem, but there must be an easier way? This only works on windows aswell and I need it to work on both linux and windows.

# main.py import sys def goBackToFile(layerBackName, otherFile): for path in sys.path: titles = path.split('\\') for index, name in enumerate(titles): if name == layerBackName: finalPath = '\\'.join(titles[:index+1]) return finalPath + '\\' + otherFile if otherFile != False else finalPath sys.path.append(goBackToFile('outerLayer','innerLayer2')) import functions

Is there an easier method which will work on all operating systems?

Edit: I know the easiest method is to put innerLayer2 inside of innerLayer1 but I cannot do that in this scenario. The files have to be adjacent.

Edit: Upon analysing answers this has received I have discovered the easiest method and have posted it as an answer below. Thankyou for your help.

I have typed the answer and then found a possible duplicate stackoverflow.com/questions/14057464/… — user3159253
– user3159253, Commented Mar 20, 2018 at 0:27
Possible duplicate of Relative importing modules from parent folder subfolder — user3159253
– user3159253, Commented Mar 20, 2018 at 0:29

user3159253 · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-20 00:28:57Z

Use . and .. to address within package structure as specified by PEP 328 et al.

Suppose you have the following structure:

proj/ script.py # supposed to be installed in bin folder mypackage/ # supposed to be installed in sitelib folder __init__.py # defines default exports if any Inner1/ __init__.py # defines default exports from Inner1 if any main.py Inner2/ __init__.py # defines default exports from Inner2 if any functions.py

Inner1.main should contain import string like this:

from ..Inner2 import functions

This would work if I was dealing with a package, in my scenario this just leads to ValueError: attempted relative import beyond top-level package
I have stumbled upon the perfect answer to my problem and have posted it as an answer. Thankyou

PixelEinstein · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-20 00:20:16Z

If you have to use the current directory design, I would suggest using a combination of sys and os to simplify your code:

import sys, os sys.path.insert(1, os.path.join(sys.path[0], '..')) from innerLayer2 import functions

This works well thankyou but have stumbled upon even simpler syntax which works just aswell, I have posted it as an answer for your interest.

Zak Stucke · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-20 00:40:54Z

Upon analysing answers I have received I have discovered the easiest solution: simply use this syntax to add the outerLayer directory to sys.path then import functions from innerLayer2:

# main.py import sys sys.path.append('..') # adds outerLayer to the sys.path (one layer up) from innerLayer2 import functions

Adriano Martins · Accepted Answer · 2018-03-20 00:09:52Z

0

The easiest way is:

Move the innerLayer2 folder to inside the innerLayer1 folder
Add an empty file named __init__.py on the innerLayer2
On the main.py use the following:

 import innerLayer2.functions as innerLayer2 # Eg of usage: # innerLayer2.sum(1, 2)

answered Mar 20, 2018 at 0:09

Adriano Martins

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2 Comments

Zak Stucke Over a year ago

In this scenario I cannot put the innerLayer2 inside innerLayer1, if i could put it inside one another then I would use sys.append('innerLayer2) then just import functions instead of your method.

Adriano Martins Over a year ago

@user3159253 provided a generic answer which does not require any changes on your structure

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