is 'all' only for 'from some import *'

Question

a.py

__all__=['b','c']
a='aaa'
b='bbb'
def c():
    print 'ccc'
def d():
    print 'dddd'

b.py

from a import a
print a
from a import *
print a
print d#error

Are there any other uses.

thanks

see this question: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/44834/can-someone-explain-all-in-python — mechanical_meat, Jan 02 '10 at 01:12

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 02 '10 at 01:29

3

Yes, it also changes what help(a) documents.

answered Jan 02 '10 at 01:29

Alice Purcell

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 02 '10 at 01:22

0

No, the purpose of __all__ is just to describe exactly what should be imported when you do from foo import *.

answered Jan 02 '10 at 01:22

avpx

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 02 '10 at 01:25

0

No other uses, except limiting the damage caused by the horrible from ... import * usage.

answered Jan 02 '10 at 01:25

Alex Martelli

1

In defense of "import *": `from math import *` is arguably reasonable, when one manipulates lots of mathematical formulas. – Eric O Lebigot Jan 02 '10 at 10:42

is '__all__' only for 'from some import *'