Should I use numpy (or pylab) as a python environment by using `from numpy import *`?

Question

I use pylab (more specifically numpy) in all of my python programs­. The exceptions are very rare, if any. So far, I have taken the habit of importing numpy in the following

Answer 1

1. Using from numpy import * changes the behavior of any, all and sum. For example,

   any([[False]])
   # True
   all([[True, False], [False, False]])
   # True
   sum([[1,2],[3,4]], 1) 
   # TypeError: unsupported operand type(s) for +: 'int' and 'list'
   

   Whereas, if you use from numpy import * then values are completely different:

   from numpy import *
   any([[False]])
   # False
   all([[True, False], [False, False]])
   # False
   sum([[1,2],[3,4]], 1) 
   array([3, 7])
   

   The full set of name collisions can be found this way (thanks to @Joe Kington and @jolvi for pointing this out):

   import numpy as np
   np_locals = set(np.__all__)
   builtins = set(dir(__builtins__))
   print([name for name in np_locals.intersection(builtins) if not name.startswith('__')])
   # ['any', 'all', 'sum']
   

2. This can lead to very confusing bugs since someone testing or using your code in a Python interpreter without from numpy import * may see completely different behavior than you do.

3. Using multiple imports of the form from module import * can compound the problem with even more collisions of this sort. If you nip this bad habit in the bud, you'll never have to worry about this (potentially confounding) bug.

   The order of the imports could also matter if both modules redefine the same name.

   And it makes it harding to figure out where functions and values come from.

4. While it is possible to use from numpy import * and still access Python's builtins, it is awkward:

   from numpy import *
   any([[False]])
   __builtins__.any([[False]])
   

   and less readable than:

   import numpy as np
   np.any([[False]])
   any([[False]])
   

5. As the Zen of Python says,

   Namespaces are a honking great idea -- let's use more of those!

My advice would be to never use from module import * in any script, period.