Lesson 16: Python Modules, Packages, and Pip | Coding Class Series

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Lesson 16: Python Modules, Packages, and Pip | Coding Class Series

Introduction

Welcome to Lesson 16!
In this lesson, we will learn about Python modules and packages, how to import them, and how to install external libraries using pip.
Modules and packages help you organize code and reuse functionality efficiently.

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1. What is a Module?

A module is a file containing Python code (functions, classes, variables).
You can reuse modules in multiple programs.

Example: math module

import math

print(math.sqrt(16))  # Output: 4.0
print(math.pi)        # Output: 3.141592653589793

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2. Importing Modules

You can import a module in different ways:

# Import the whole module
import math
print(math.factorial(5))  # Output: 120

# Import specific functions
from math import factorial, ceil
print(factorial(6))  # Output: 720
print(ceil(4.2))     # Output: 5

# Import with alias
import math as m
print(m.sqrt(25))    # Output: 5.0

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3. Creating Your Own Module

You can create a module by saving functions in a .py file.

my_module.py

def greet(name):
    return f"Hello, {name}!"

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

main.py

import my_module

print(my_module.greet("Alice"))
print(my_module.add(10, 5))

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4. What is a Package?

A package is a folder containing multiple modules and an __init__.py file.
It allows better organization of related modules.

Example structure:

my_package/
    __init__.py
    module1.py
    module2.py

Usage:

from my_package import module1
module1.function_name()

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5. Installing External Libraries with pip

pip is the Python package manager. You can install external libraries easily.

# Install a library
pip install requests

# Check installed libraries
pip list

Example usage:

import requests

response = requests.get("https://api.github.com")
print(response.status_code)  # Output: 200

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6. Upgrading and Uninstalling Packages

# Upgrade a package
pip install --upgrade requests

# Uninstall a package
pip uninstall requests

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7. Practice Exercises

1. Create a module calculator.py with functions for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Import it in another program.
2. Organize two modules (math_ops.py and string_ops.py) into a package my_utils. Import and use functions.
3. Install the numpy library using pip and create an array.
4. Upgrade numpy and then uninstall it using pip commands.

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