Concept: Imports

Concept: Imports#

With import, you can include libraries and use the classes and functions they provide. There are different ways to import libraries in Python.

Different Types of Imports#

In Python, you can import libraries in several ways. All of the following lines are valid:

import miniworlds
from miniworlds import *
import miniworlds

In the first form import miniworlds, you need to prefix everything with miniworlds. — e.g., miniworlds.World().

Alternatively, you can write from miniworlds import *, which allows you to omit the miniworlds. prefix and write World() directly.

Here’s how a simple program would look using import miniworlds:

import miniworlds

world = miniworlds.TiledWorld()
world.add_background("images/soccer_green.jpg")
world.columns = 20
world.rows = 8
world.tile_size = 40

world.run()

Explicit vs. Implicit Imports#

Using miniworlds.object may seem more verbose, but it is the preferred method in Python.

Why? Because it makes your code more readable — it’s immediately clear which library a function or class comes from.

For example, if you define your own class named TiledWorld, it would clash with the imported name. By using the prefix (miniworlds.TiledWorld), you avoid confusion.

This follows the Python Zen principle:

Explicit is better than implicit.

Aliases#

The third option is a compromise between the two styles.

If you find miniworlds too long, you can use an alias — for example, mwm:

import miniworlds as mwm

world = mwm.TiledWorld()
world.add_background("images/soccer_green.jpg")
world.columns = 20
world.rows = 8
world.tile_size = 40

world.run()

Notes for Teachers#

Both styles of import are used throughout these tutorials. As a teacher, you may wish to standardize one approach for beginners.

For students who are new to Python, it might be easier to avoid advanced import styles (like from ... import *) at first.

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