Modules & Packages in Python: import, custom
modules, virtual environments
Q1. What is a module in Python?
Ans: A module is a file containing Python definitions, functions, and variables that can be reused in
other programs.
Q2. How do you create a module in Python?
Ans: Simply save Python code in a `.py` file. For example, `mymodule.py` can be imported using
`import mymodule`.
Q3. How do you import a module in Python?
Ans: Use the `import` statement. Example: `import math` imports the math module.
Q4. What is the difference between `import module` and `from
module import`?
Ans: `import module` requires prefix (e.g., math.sqrt()), while `from module import sqrt` allows direct
use (sqrt()).
Q5. How do you give an alias to a module?
Ans: Use the `as` keyword. Example: `import numpy as np`.
Q6. What are built-in modules in Python?
Ans: Modules that come pre-installed with Python, like `math`, `os`, `sys`, `random`.
Q7. How do you check all functions inside a module?
Ans: Use the `dir(module_name)` function.
Q8. What is the purpose of the `__name__` variable in a module?
Ans: It helps differentiate if the module is being run directly or imported into another file.
Q9. What is a package in Python?
Ans: A package is a collection of modules organized in directories with an `__init__.py` file.
Q10. What is the difference between a module and a package?
Ans: A module is a single `.py` file, while a package is a collection of modules in a directory.
Q11. What is the role of `__init__.py`?
Ans: It marks a directory as a Python package and can execute initialization code when imported.
Q12. How do you import a function from a module?
Ans: Use: `from module import function`. Example: `from math import sqrt`.
Q13. What happens if two modules have the same function name?
Ans: The last imported module overrides the earlier one if imported directly.
Q14. How do you import multiple modules in one line?
Ans: Example: `import os, sys, math`.
Q15. What is the `sys.path` list used for?
Ans: It contains directories where Python looks for modules to import.
Q16. How can you reload a module in Python?
Ans: Use `importlib.reload(module_name)`.
Q17. What is a custom module?
Ans: A custom module is a `.py` file created by the user containing functions, classes, and
variables.
Q18. How do you import a custom module?
Ans: Save the file in the same directory or add its path, then use `import module_name`.
Q19. How do you import a module from a different directory?
Ans: Add the directory path to `sys.path` or use a package structure.
Q20. What is a namespace in Python modules?
Ans: A namespace is a mapping between names and objects; modules create their own
namespace.
Q21. What is the purpose of `import *`?
Ans: It imports all public functions, variables, and classes from a module.
Q22. Why is `import *` discouraged?
Ans: It pollutes the namespace and can overwrite existing variables/functions.
Q23. How do you install external Python packages?
Ans: Use `pip install package_name`.
Q24. How do you list installed packages in Python?
Ans: Run `pip list` in the terminal.
Q25. What is a virtual environment in Python?
Ans: A virtual environment is an isolated environment that allows you to install packages without
affecting global Python.
Q26. How do you create a virtual environment?
Ans: Run `python -m venv env_name`.
Q27. How do you activate a virtual environment?
Ans: On Windows: `env_name\Scripts\activate`. On macOS/Linux: `source env_name/bin/activate`.
Q28. How do you deactivate a virtual environment?
Ans: Simply run `deactivate`.
Q29. Why are virtual environments important?
Ans: They prevent dependency conflicts between different projects.
Q30. What is `pip freeze` used for?
Ans: It lists installed packages with versions, useful for creating requirements.txt.
Q31. How do you install packages from requirements.txt?
Ans: Run `pip install -r requirements.txt`.
Q32. What is the difference between `pip` and `conda`?
Ans: `pip` is Python's package installer, while `conda` manages environments and packages
(supports multiple languages).
Q33. How do you uninstall a package in Python?
Ans: Run `pip uninstall package_name`.
Q34. How do you check the location of a module?
Ans: Use `module.__file__`.
Q35. What is a third-party module?
Ans: Modules developed by the community and installed via pip, e.g., requests, pandas, flask.
Q36. What is a standard library in Python?
Ans: The collection of built-in modules that comes pre-installed with Python.
Q37. What is `importlib` used for?
Ans: It provides functions to import and reload modules programmatically.
Q38. How do you check version of a package?
Ans: Run `pip show package_name` or `package.__version__` (if supported).
Q39. What is relative import in Python?
Ans: Importing modules from the same package using `.` or `..`. Example: `from . import module1`.
Q40. What is absolute import in Python?
Ans: Specifying the full path of the module from the project root. Example: `from mypackage import
module1`.
Q41. What happens if Python cannot find a module?
Ans: It raises a `ModuleNotFoundError`.
Q42. How do you avoid circular imports?
Ans: Restructure code, use local imports inside functions, or redesign module dependencies.
Q43. What is `sys.modules`?
Ans: A dictionary that caches all imported modules in a Python session.
Q44. What are namespace packages?
Ans: Packages without `__init__.py` that allow modules to be spread across multiple directories.
Q45. What is the role of `pkgutil`?
Ans: It provides utilities for working with packages and namespace packages.
Q46. What is the difference between `venv` and `virtualenv`?
Ans: `venv` is built-in from Python 3.3+, while `virtualenv` is an external tool with more features.
Q47. What is `pipenv`?
Ans: A tool that combines package management and virtual environments, simplifying dependency
management.
Q48. What is `pyenv`?
Ans: A tool for managing multiple Python versions and virtual environments.
Q49. Can we have nested packages in Python?
Ans: Yes, packages can contain sub-packages with their own modules.
Q50. How do you distribute a Python package?
Ans: By creating `setup.py` and uploading to PyPI using `twine`.
Q51. What is `__all__` in a module?
Ans: A list that defines which functions/classes are exported when `from module import *` is used.
