Using Python packages that share a base name

Question

Consider two packages: x.y.z and x.y.w

Suppose I already have x.y.z installed via pip and I am testing x.y.w locally.

It seems that if I try to run import x.y.z it will fail with the error No module named x.y.z even though it's installed. If I switch directory, I can import it just fine, but then I won't have x.y.w. Is there any way to have both importable?

Does this answer your question? [Is it possible to use two Python packages with the same name?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5062793/is-it-possible-to-use-two-python-packages-with-the-same-name) — shakedzy, Nov 30 '19 at 00:29
The solution I posted below works, I just don't understand why — Cory Nezin, Nov 30 '19 at 03:28

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 30 '19 at 00:47

0

Adding the following to some of my __init__.py files seems to have worked:

from pkgutil import extend_path
__path__ = extend_path(__path__, __name__)

(from https://docs.python.org/3/library/pkgutil.html)

However I'm not really sure why/how it worked.

Anyone care to explain?

answered Nov 30 '19 at 00:47

Cory Nezin

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You should read more about _namespace packages_. For example you could start with [PyPA's guide on "Packaging namespace packages"](https://packaging.python.org/guides/packaging-namespace-packages/). – sinoroc Dec 02 '19 at 09:00

Using Python packages that share a base name

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