python - `from ... import` vs `import .`

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Answer 1

It depends on how you want to access the import when you refer to it.

from urllib import request
# access request directly.
mine = request()

import urllib.request
# used as urllib.request
mine = urllib.request()

You can also alias things yourself when you import for simplicity or to avoid masking built ins:

from os import open as open_
# lets you use os.open without destroying the 
# built in open() which returns file handles.