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  • April 27, 2024

A Comprehensive Guide to Modules in Python: Creating, Using, and Exploring Built-in Modules

  • April 27, 2024

Python, known for its simplicity and versatility, owes much of its power to its modular architecture. Modules in Python are essentially files containing Python code, which can be imported and used in other Python scripts. In this article, we will delve into how to create and use your own modules and explore some of the most commonly used built-in modules in Python. 

Table of Contents

Creating Your Own Modules in Python

Creating a Python module is a straightforward process. You simply write your Python code in a `.py` file, and that file becomes a module. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own Python module: 

Write your Python code: Create a new `.py` file and write the Python code you want to include in your module. For example, let’s create a file named `math_operations.py` with the following code

# math_operations.py      
def add(a, b): 
    return a + b 
def subtract(a, b): 
    return a - b 
def multiply(a, b): 
    return a * b 
def divide(a, b): 
    if b == 0: 
        return "Division by zero is not allowed" 
    return a / b

Save the file: Save the `.py` file with an appropriate name, such as `math_operations.py`.

Import the module: Now, you can import the module in another Python script and use the functions defined in it. Here’s how you can do it:

# main.py 
import math_operations 
print(math_operations.add(5, 3))  # Output: 8 
print(math_operations.subtract(5, 3))  # Output: 2

Exploring Built-in Modules

Python comes with a rich set of built-in modules that provide a wide range of functionalities, from mathematical operations to file I/O and more. Here’s a list of some commonly used built-in modules and their uses: 

math module

The `math` module in Python offers a collection of functions designed for executing various mathematical computations. These functions cover a wide range of mathematical operations, including basic arithmetic, trigonometry, logarithms, and more. Below is an overview of some commonly used functions available in the `math` module. 

Basic Arithmetic Functions

`math.ceil(x)`

Returns the smallest integer value greater than or equal to `x`. 

import math 
print(math.ceil(4.3))  # Output: 5 
print(math.ceil(-4.3))  # Output: -4
`math.floor(x)`

Returns the largest integer value less than or equal to `x`. 

import math 
print(math.floor(4.7))  # Output: 4 
print(math.floor(-4.7))  # Output: -5
`math.trunc(x)`

Returns the truncated integer value of `x` (removes the decimal part). 

import math 
print(math.trunc(4.9))  # Output: 4 
print(math.trunc(-4.9))  # Output: -4

Trigonometric Functions

`math.sin(x)`

Returns the sine of `x` (in radians). 

import math 
print(math.sin(math.pi/2))  # Output: 1.0
`math.cos(x)`

Returns the cosine of `x` (in radians). 

import math 
print(math.cos(0))  # Output: 1.0
`math.tan(x)`

Returns the tangent of `x` (in radians). 

import math 
print(math.tan(math.pi/4))  # Output: 0.9999999999999999

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

`math.exp(x)`

Returns the exponential of `x` (e^x). 

import math 
print(math.exp(1))  # Output: 2.718281828459045
`math.log(x[, base])`

Returns the natural logarithm of `x` (base `e`). Optionally, you can specify the base for the logarithm. 

import math 
print(math.log(2))  # Output: 0.6931471805599453 
print(math.log(8, 2))  # Output: 3.0
`math.sqrt(x)`

Returns the square root of `x`. 

import math 
print(math.sqrt(16))  # Output: 4.0

Constants

`math.pi`

A mathematical constant representing π (pi). 

import math 
print(math.pi)  # Output: 3.141592653589793
`math.e`

A mathematical constant representing the base of natural logarithms, approximately equal to 2.71828. 

import math 
print(math.e)  # Output: 2.718281828459045
`math.inf`

A floating-point representation of positive infinity. 

import math 
print(math.inf)  # Output: inf
`math.nan`

A floating-point representation of NaN (Not a Number). 

import math 
print(math.nan)  # Output: nan

These are just a few examples of the functions available in the `math` module.  

datetime module

The `datetime` module in Python provides functionalities for managing dates and times. It offers various functionalities for creating, formatting, and performing arithmetic operations on dates and times. Below is an in-depth look at the `datetime` module, focusing on the `datetime` class and its methods. 

`datetime` class

The `datetime` class in the `datetime` module represents a specific point in time with both date and time components. It is a combination of a date object and a time object. 

Creating `datetime` objects

You can create a `datetime` object using the `datetime` class constructor, which takes year, month, day, hour, minute, second, microsecond, and timezone information as arguments. 

from datetime import datetime 
# Create a datetime object for a specific date and time 
dt = datetime(2024, 4, 21, 12, 30, 45) 
print(dt)  # Output: 2024-04-21 12:30:45

Getting Current Date and Time

The `datetime.now()` method returns the current local date and time. 

from datetime import datetime 
current_dt = datetime.now() 
print(current_dt)  # Output: Current local date and time

Getting Date and Time Components

You can access individual components of a `datetime` object, such as year, month, day, hour, minute, second, and microsecond. 

from datetime import datetime 
dt = datetime.now() 
print(f"Year: {dt.year}") 
print(f"Month: {dt.month}") 
print(f"Day: {dt.day}") 
print(f"Hour: {dt.hour}") 
print(f"Minute: {dt.minute}") 
print(f"Second: {dt.second}") 
print(f"Microsecond: {dt.microsecond}")

`datetime` class methods

`date()`

The `date()` method returns a `date` object with the same year, month, and day components as the `datetime` object. 

from datetime import datetime 
dt = datetime.now() 
date_only = dt.date() 
print(date_only)  # Output: YYYY-MM-DD
`time()`

The `time()` method returns a `time` object with the same hour, minute, second, and microsecond components as the `datetime` object. 

from datetime import datetime 
dt = datetime.now() 
time_only = dt.time() 
print(time_only)  # Output: HH:MM:SS.microsecond
`strftime()`

The `strftime()` method formats the `datetime` object as a string according to a specified format. 

from datetime import datetime 
dt = datetime.now() 
formatted_dt = dt.strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")   
print(formatted_dt)  # Output: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
`strptime()`

The `strptime()` method creates a `datetime` object from a string representing a date and time, given a corresponding format string.  

from datetime import datetime  
date_str = "2024-04-21 12:30:45"  
dt = datetime.strptime(date_str, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")  
print(dt)  # Output: 2024-04-21 12:30:45

Arithmetic Operations

You can perform arithmetic operations on `datetime` objects to calculate time differences or add/subtract time intervals.  

from datetime import datetime, timedelta  
dt1 = datetime(2024, 4, 21)  
dt2 = datetime(2024, 4, 25)  
# Calculate the difference between two dates  
delta = dt2 - dt1  
print(delta.days)  # Output: 4  
# Add a time interval to a datetime object  
new_dt = dt1 + timedelta(days=10)  
print(new_dt)  # Output: 2024-05-01 00:00:00

os module

The os module in Python offers tools for interacting with the operating system. It offers a range of functions for performing file and directory operations, accessing environment variables, and executing system commands. Below are some of the key functionalities provided by the `os` module:  

File and Directory Operations

Checking if a File or Folder Exists

You can use the `os.path.exists()` function to check if a file or directory exists at a given path.  

import os  
file_path = 'example.txt'  
if os.path.exists(file_path):  
    print(f"{file_path} exists.")  
else:  
    print(f"{file_path} does not exist.")
Creating and Removing Directories

The `os.mkdir()` and `os.rmdir()` functions are used to create and remove directories, respectively.  

import os  
# Create a directory  
os.mkdir('my_directory')  
# Remove a directory  
os.rmdir('my_directory')
Listing Files and Directories

You can use the `os.listdir()` function to get a list of all files and directories in a given directory.  

import os  
files = os.listdir('.')  
for file in files:  
    print(file)

Operating System Information

Getting Current Working Directory

The `os.getcwd()` function provides the current working directory as a string. 

import os  
cwd = os.getcwd()  
print(f"Current working directory: {cwd}")
Changing Current Working Directory

The `os.chdir()` function allows you to change the current working directory.  

import os  
os.chdir('/path/to/directory')  
print(f"Current working directory changed to {os.getcwd()}")
Platform Information

The `os.name` attribute provides the name of the operating system dependent module imported. The `os.uname()` function returns information identifying the current operating system.  

import os  
print(f"OS name: {os.name}")  
if os.name == 'posix':  
    print(f"Platform: {os.uname()}")

Environment Variables

Accessing Environment Variables

The `os.environ` dictionary provides access to the environment variables of the system.  

import os  
# Accessing the PATH environment variable  
path = os.environ.get('PATH')  
print(f"PATH: {path}")

System Commands

Running System Commands

The `os.system()` function allows you to execute shell commands.  

import os  
# Run the 'ls' command (Unix/Linux)  
os.system('ls')  
# Run the 'dir' command (Windows)  
os.system('dir')

File and Path Operations

Path Manipulation

The `os.path` module provides functions for manipulating paths and checking path-related information.  

import os  
# Joining paths  
path = os.path.join('dir1', 'dir2', 'file.txt')  
print(f"Joined path: {path}")  
# Getting the basename and dirname  
print(f"Basename: {os.path.basename(path)}")  
print(f"Dirname: {os.path.dirname(path)}")  
# Splitting the extension  
print(f"Splitext: {os.path.splitext(path)}")

sys module

The `sys` module provides access to some variables used or maintained by the interpreter and to functions that interact with the interpreter.  

import sys  
print(sys.platform)  # Output: linux

random module

The main function of the `random` module is to produce random numbers, sequences, and selections. Whether you need to simulate random events, shuffle data, or generate cryptographic keys, the `random` module offers a wide range of functionalities to meet your needs.  

Generating Random Numbers

One of the primary purposes of the `random` module is to generate random numbers. The `random.randint()` function is commonly used to generate a random integer within a specified range, inclusive of both endpoints.  

import random  
random_number = random.randint(1, 10)  
print(random_number)  # Output: a random integer between 1 and 10

Generating Random Floats

In addition to integers, the `random` module also allows you to generate random floating-point numbers using the `random.uniform()` function.  

import random  
random_float = random.uniform(1.0, 10.0)  
print(random_float)  # Output: a random float between 1.0 and 10.0

Generating Random Sequences

The `random` module provides functions for generating random sequences, such as lists, using the `random.sample()` function.  

import random  
random_list = random.sample(range(1, 10), 3)  
print(random_list)  # Output: a list of 3 unique random numbers between 1 and 10

Shuffling Sequences

The `random` module also offers the `random.shuffle()` function, which allows you to shuffle the elements of a sequence in place.  

import random  
my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]  
random.shuffle(my_list)   
print(my_list)  # Output: a shuffled version of my_list

Choosing Random Elements

If you need to select random elements from a sequence without replacement, you can use the `random.choice()` function.  

import random   
my_list = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'mango']  
random_fruit = random.choice(my_list)  
print(random_fruit)  # Output: a random fruit from my_list

Seed for Reproducibility

For applications where reproducibility is essential, the `random` module allows you to set a seed using the `random.seed()` function. Setting a seed ensures that the sequence of random numbers generated is the same every time the code is executed.  

import random  
random.seed(42)   
print(random.randint(1, 10)) 
random.seed(42)   
print(random.randint(1, 10))

json module

The `json` module in Python offers a robust set of functions designed to handle the encoding and decoding of JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) data. JSON is a lightweight data interchange format that is widely used for transmitting data between a server and a web application, as well as for storing configuration data and structured data.  

Encoding JSON Data

When it comes to encoding JSON data, the `json` module provides the `json.dumps()` function, which takes a Python object as input and returns a JSON-formatted string representation of that object. This function is particularly useful when you need to serialize Python objects into a format that can be easily transmitted or stored.  

import json  
data = {"name": "John", "age": 30}  
json_data = json.dumps(data)  
print(json_data)  # Output: {"name": "John", "age": 30}

Handling JSON Files

The `json` module also provides functions for reading and writing JSON data directly from and to files. The `json.dump()` function can be used to write JSON data to a file, while the `json.load()` function can be used to read JSON data from a file. 

import json 
# Writing JSON data to a file 
data = {"name": "John", "age": 30} 
with open('data.json', 'w') as f: 
    json.dump(data, f) 
# Reading JSON data from a file 
with open('data.json', 'r') as f: 
    loaded_data = json.load(f) 
print(loaded_data)  # Output: {'name': 'John', 'age': 30}

Decoding JSON Data

json.loads() is a Python function used to decode JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) formatted strings into Python objects.

import json
# JSON string representing a dictionary
json_string = '{"name": "John", "age": 30, "city": "New York"}'
# Using json.loads() to decode the JSON string into a Python dictionary
python_dict = json.loads(json_string)
# Printing the Python dictionary
print(python_dict)

re module

The `re` module in Python provides a comprehensive set of tools and functionalities specifically designed for working with regular expressions. Regular expressions, often abbreviated as regex or regexp, are powerful patterns used to match, search, and manipulate text based on certain rules or patterns. With the `re` module, you can perform tasks such as searching for specific patterns within strings, replacing text based on patterns, and validating strings against specific criteria defined by regular expressions. This module enables you to harness the full power of regular expressions, making text processing tasks more efficient and flexible in Python. 

import re 
pattern = r'b[A-Z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Z0-9.-]+.[A-Z]{2,}b' 
text = "Contact us at email@example.com" 
match = re.search(pattern, text, re.IGNORECASE) 
print(match.group())  # Output: email@example.com

To validate Aadhar Number Pattern:

import re
aadhar_number = "1122 3344 5566"
# ^ asserts the start of the string.
# d{4} matches exactly 4 digits.
# s? matches an optional space character.
# $ asserts the end of the string.
if re.match(r"^d{4}s?d{4}s?d{4}$", aadhar_number):
    print("Valid Aadhar Number")
else:
    print("Invalid Aadhar Number")

To validate PAN Number Pattern:

import re
# ^ asserts the start of the string.
# [A-Z]{5} matches exactly 5 uppercase alphabetic characters.
# [0-9]{4} matches exactly 4 digits.
# [A-Z] matches exactly 1 uppercase alphabetic character.
# $ asserts the end of the string.
pan_number = "ABCDE1234F"
if re.match(r"^[A-Z]{5}[0-9]{4}[A-Z]$", pan_number):
    print("Valid PAN Number")
else:
    print("Invalid PAN Number")

Conclusion

Modules in Python offer a powerful way to organize and reuse code. Whether you are creating your own modules or leveraging the built-in modules provided by Python, understanding how to work with modules can greatly enhance your Python programming experience. So, go ahead, create your own modules, and explore the vast array of built-in modules to unlock the full potential of Python! 

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