Module search path in Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the module search path in Python?

The module search path is the list of directories Python looks through to find a module when you use import. It tells Python where to find the files you want to use.

beginner

How can you see the current module search path in Python?

You can see it by importing the sys module and printing sys.path. This shows a list of folders Python checks for modules.

beginner

What happens if Python cannot find a module in the search path?

Python raises a ModuleNotFoundError. This means it looked in all the folders in the search path but did not find the module file.

intermediate

How can you add a new folder to the module search path temporarily?

You can add a folder by appending its path to sys.path in your script. This lets Python look in that folder for modules during that run.

beginner

Why is the current working directory usually first in the module search path?

Because Python tries to import modules from your current folder first. This helps you use your own files before looking in system or library folders.

What Python list shows the directories where modules are searched?

A sys.path

B os.environ

C sys.modules

D import.path

The sys.path list contains all directories Python checks for modules.

If a module is not found, what error does Python raise?

A FileNotFoundError

B ModuleNotFoundError

C ImportError

D NameError

ModuleNotFoundError is raised when Python cannot find the module in the search path.

Which folder is usually checked first when importing a module?

A System library folder

B User home directory

C Current working directory

D Temporary files folder

Python checks the current working directory first to find modules.

How can you add a folder to the module search path during a script run?

A Append the folder path to sys.path

B Set PYTHONPATH environment variable inside the script

C Use importlib.add_path()

D Create a new module named sys.path

Appending a folder path to sys.path adds it temporarily to the search path.

What does the sys.path list include?

A Environment variables

B List of all imported modules

C Python version information

D Directories where Python looks for modules

sys.path is a list of directories Python searches for modules.

Explain what the Python module search path is and why it matters when importing modules.

Think about how Python finds the files you want to use.

Describe how you can check and modify the module search path in a Python script.

Use the sys module to see and change the search path.