split python source code into multiple files?

Question

I have a code that I wish to split apart into multiple files. In matlab one can simply call a .m file, and as long as it is not defined as anything in particular it

Answer 1

Sure!

#file  -- test.py --
myvar = 42
def test_func():
    print("Hello!")

Now, this file ("test.py") is in python terminology a "module". We can import it (as long as it can be found in our PYTHONPATH) Note that the current directory is always in PYTHONPATH, so if use_test is being run from the same directory where test.py lives, you're all set:

#file -- use_test.py --
import test
test.test_func()  #prints "Hello!"
print (test.myvar)  #prints 42

from test import test_func #Only import the function directly into current namespace
test_func() #prints "Hello"
print (myvar)     #Exception (NameError)

from test import *
test_func() #prints "Hello"
print(myvar)      #prints 42

There's a lot more you can do than just that through the use of special __init__.py files which allow you to treat multiple files as a single module), but this answers your question and I suppose we'll leave the rest for another time.