Must Python script define a function as main?

Question

Must/should a Python script have a main() function? For example is it ok to replace

if __name__ == '__main__':
  main()

with

if __name__ == '__main__':
  entryPoint()

(or some other meaningful name)

Answer 1

Using a function named main() is just a convention. You can give it any name you want to.

Testing for the module name is just a nice trick to prevent code running when your code is not being executed as the __main__ module (i.e. not when imported as the script Python started with, but imported as a module). You can run any code you like under that if test.

Using a function in that case helps keep the global namespace of your module uncluttered by shunting names into a local namespace instead. Naming that function main() is commonplace, but not a requirement.