Getting a Python Modules Dierctory from Inside Itself

Question

I have a Python module and I'd like to get that modules directory from inside itself. I want to do this because I have some files that I'd like to reference relative to the module.

Answer 1

First you need to get a reference to the module inside itself.

mod = sys.__modules__[__name__]

Then you can use __file__ to get to the module file.

mod.__file__

Its directory is a dirname of that.

Answer 2

As you are inside the module all you need is this:

import os
path_to_this_module = os.path.dirname(__file__)

However, if the module in question is actually your programs entry point, then __file__ will only be the name of the file and you'll need to expand the path:

import os
path_to_this_module = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))

Answer 3

I think this is what you are looking for:

import <module>
import os
print os.path.dirname(<module>.__file__)

Answer 4

You should be using pkg_resources for this, the resource* family of functions do just about everything you need without having to muck about with the filesystem.

import pkg_resources
data = pkg_resources.resource_string(__name__, "some_file")