What is the purpose of Python __init__.py?
Hi Mehta,
The init.py file was once a required component for a package in Python (pre-3.3, specifically for “regular packages”). It was used to mark a directory as a Python package and allowed Python to recognize and import it as a module. When a regular package is imported, Python automatically executes the init.py file, and any objects it defines are bound to names in the package’s namespace. This file could contain any Python code, and Python would add extra attributes to it upon import.
However, starting with Python 3.3, “namespace packages” were introduced, which do not require the init.py file. For more detailed information on regular and namespace packages, you can refer to the official documentation that includes examples and a deeper explanation.
In older versions of Python (prior to 3.3), init.py was crucial for defining a directory as a package. Without it, Python would not recognize the directory as a package, and importing it would lead to an error. The file was executed automatically during the import process, allowing you to initialize package-specific code.
With Python 3.3 and above, the introduction of namespace packages eliminated the need for an init.py file. Namespace packages allow you to split a package across multiple directories and import them without requiring an init.py file.