How can I check for unused import in many Python files?

Question

I remember when I was developing in C++ or Java, the compiler usually complains for unused methods, functions or imports. In my Django project, I have a bunch of Python fil

Answer 1

If you use the eclipse IDE with pydev and mylyn, it provides automatic checking and highlighting for unused imports, among other things. It integrates with pylint as well.

Answer 2

PyFlakes (similar to Lint) will give you this information.

pyflakes python_archive.py

Example output:
python_archive.py:1: 'python_archive2.SomeClass' imported but unused

Answer 3

I use flake8 to check the style, and then isort+autoflake to auto remove the unused imports.

Check: See more at flake8 vs pyflake

pip install flake8 --user
flake8 .

Reformat: see more at why isort+autoflake

pip install isort autoflake --user
isort -rc -sl .
autoflake --remove-all-unused-imports -i -r .
isort -rc -m 3 .

Answer 4

As of 2020, vulture is recommended.

Installation

pip install vulture  # from PyPI

Usage

vulture myscript.py

For all python files under your project.

find . -name "*.py" | xargs vulture | grep "unused import"

Example

Applies to the code below.

import numpy as np
import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({'A': [1, 2], 'B': [3, 4]})

The results are as follows.

➜ vulture myscript.py
myscript.py:1: unused import 'np' (90% confidence)
myscript.py:4: unused variable 'df' (60% confidence)

Answer 5

I have been using pyflakes successfully and wished to auto-remove the unused imports.

I recently found autoflake:

• Uses pyflakes for checking.
• Defaults to removing unused standard library imports and redundant pass statements.
• Has options for removing other unused imports and unused variables.