When is this going to be executed in Python?

Question

Let's say for a moment that I have the following module in python:

class Foo(object):
    pass

def foofunc():
    pass

foofunc()

Will foofunc() (I mean the last statement) ever be executed if I choose to import the module instead of executing it directly?

@reclosedev Not really, because I am working on a project at the moment, and trying it involves seriously screwing up if something goes wrong. You will argue that I can always revert the changes, but the whole matter is psychological. Fear is very demotivating in this case. — NlightNFotis, Jan 20 '13 at 18:58
I'm just sayning, that creating two files: ``foo.py`` with above code, and ``bar.py`` with ``import foo`` is faster than asking it. — reclosedev, Jan 20 '13 at 19:00
I recommend that developers live by "Suck it and see." idioms.thefreedictionary.com/suck+it+and+see -- meaning, write small test cases and see what happens. — hughdbrown, Mar 30 '13 at 02:14

score 8 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 20 '13 at 18:53

8

Yes, it will be executed on first import.

answered Jan 20 '13 at 18:53

Pavel Anossov

Oh gee, thanx mate. Because I thought it would never be executed, unless I executed the module directly. – NlightNFotis Jan 20 '13 at 18:54
3

Nlight, if you want your script to work either as a library or an executable, you can use the ['if name equals main' idiom](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/419163/what-does-if-name-main-do) – Colonel Panic Jan 20 '13 at 19:11
@ColonelPanic I do know about that, but thanx for the info anyway. – NlightNFotis Jan 20 '13 at 20:30
Well, the idiom exists for a reason, right? :) – Karl Knechtel Jan 20 '13 at 22:19

1 Answers1