How to change a Python module name?

Question

Is it only possible if I rename the file? Or is there a __module__ variable to the file to define what's its name?

Answer 1

You can change the name used for a module when importing by using as:

import foo as bar
print bar.baz

Answer 2

If you really want to import the file 'oldname.py' with the statement 'import newname', there is a trick that makes it possible: Import the module somewhere with the old name, then inject it into sys.modules with the new name. Subsequent import statements will also find it under the new name. Code sample:

# this is in file 'oldname.py'
...module code...

Usage:

# inject the 'oldname' module with a new name
import oldname
import sys
sys.modules['newname'] = oldname

Now you can everywhere your module with import newname.