Can someone explain __all__ in Python?

Question

I have been using Python more and more, and I keep seeing the variable __all__ set in different __init__.py files. Can someone explain what this d

Answer 1

It also changes what pydoc will show:

module1.py

a = "A"
b = "B"
c = "C"

module2.py

__all__ = ['a', 'b']

a = "A"
b = "B"
c = "C"

$ pydoc module1

Help on module module1:

NAME
    module1

FILE
    module1.py

DATA
    a = 'A'
    b = 'B'
    c = 'C'

$ pydoc module2

Help on module module2:

NAME
    module2

FILE
    module2.py

DATA
    __all__ = ['a', 'b']
    a = 'A'
    b = 'B'

I declare __all__ in all my modules, as well as underscore internal details, these really help when using things you've never used before in live interpreter sessions.