Talk Proposal: Getting the Most Out of Python Imports¶

30 August 2011 (Revised to current form 16 October)

https://us.pycon.org/2012/proposal/17/

status: Accepted

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Summary¶

To really take advantage of Python you must understand how imports work and how to use them effectively. In this talk we’ll discuss both of these. After a short introduction to imports, we’ll dive right in and show how you can put PEP 302 import hooks to work for you.

Abstract¶

Python’s import statement has been a powerful feature since the first release, and only gotten better with age. Understanding how imports work under the hood will let you take advantage of that power.

The key to customizing Python’s imports is the importers introduced by PEP 302. That’s a tool that you want in your belt!

Talk Outline

Python’s imports (5 min) - the evolution of the import machinery - the gears in the machine - motivation for PEP 302
Finder Objects (5 min) - what they’re for - how to write one - what to do with it
Loader Objects (5 min) - what they’re for - how to write one - what to do with it
sys.meta_path vs. sys.path_hooks (5 min) - when and how to use them - example of putting it all together
Real-life Examples of Import Hooks (7 min) - Python/import.c - importlib module - PyPy - PyFilesystem
Other Import Customizations (3 min) - builtins.__import__ - .pth files - PEP 402 - import engine

Much more information on Python imports may be found at my Python Imports page.

The Original Proposals¶

PyCon 2012 Talk: Getting the Most Out of Python Imports

high-level overview of imports/modules in Python
history of imports in Python
introduction to PEP 302 import hooks
import hook examples
review of supplemental information
questions

PyCon 2012 Talk: A History of the Python Import Statement

high-level overview of imports/modules in Python
brief history of Python
influences on the initial import statement
early additions
the intervening years
recent additions
on-going efforts
questions