How to fix "ImportError: No module named ..." error in Python?

Question

Python does not add the current directory to sys.path, but rather the directory that the script is in. Add /home/bodacydo/work/project to either sys.path or $PYTHONPATH.

Do you have a file called __init__.py in the foo directory? If not then python won't recognise foo as a python package.

See the section on packages in the python tutorial for more information.

A better fix than setting PYTHONPATH is to use python -m module.path

This will correctly set sys.path[0] and is a more reliable way to execute modules.

I have a quick writeup about this problem, as other answerers have mentioned the reason for this is python path/to/file.py puts path/to on the beginning of the PYTHONPATH (sys.path).

Here is a step-by-step solution:

1. Add a script called run.py in /home/bodacydo/work/project and edit it like this:

   import programs.my_python_program
   programs.my_python_program.main()
   

   (replace main() with your equivalent method in my_python_program.)

2. Go to /home/bodacydo/work/project
3. Run run.py

Explanation: Since python appends to PYTHONPATH the path of the script from which it runs, running run.py will append /home/bodacydo/work/project. And voilà, import foo.tasks will be found.

Example solution for adding the library to your PYTHONPATH.

1. Add the following line into your ~/.bashrc or just run it directly:

   export PYTHONPATH="$PYTHONPATH:$HOME/.python"
   

2. Then link your required library into your ~/.python folder, e.g.

   ln -s /home/user/work/project/foo ~/.python/