Project Handling

Writing large-scale Python code requires clean structures, reusable packages, and isolated runtime environments. Let’s cover how to handle and configure professional Python projects.

1. Modules and Packages

Module: A single Python file (.py) containing code.
Package: A directory containing multiple modules and a special file named __init__.py.

Best Practices for Imports

Always use Absolute Imports: Avoid relative imports (like from ..utils import db). These are prone to breaking when files are run as standalone scripts. Instead, use the project root path:
from myproject.utils import db
Avoid from module import *: Clutters your namespace and can overwrite existing functions or variables silently. Import explicitly:
from math import sqrt, pi

2. Virtual Environments

A virtual environment is a local directory containing its own Python executable and installed dependencies.

Why isolate environments?

By default, standard python installations share global libraries. If Project A needs django 3.2 and Project B needs django 4.2, a global environment will crash. Virtual environments solve this by isolating packages per folder.

Creating and Activating (Standard)

# 1. Create environment
python -m venv .venv

# 2. Activate environment
# macOS / Linux:
source .venv/bin/activate

# Windows (PowerShell):
.venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

Modern Alternative: `uv`

uv is an ultra-fast Python package installer and resolver written in Rust by Astral, serving as a drop-in replacement for standard pip tools:

# Create venv with uv (instant!)
uv venv

# Install packages
uv pip install requests

What’s next?

Now that you have completed Advanced Python, let’s learn how to extend Python using standard libraries and external packages!

Extending Python

Learn standard library and external package management

Essential Tools

Environment & secrets

Practical Python

Project Development

1. Modules and Packages

Best Practices for Imports

2. Virtual Environments

Why isolate environments?

Creating and Activating (Standard)

Modern Alternative: `uv`

What’s next?

Extending Python

​1. Modules and Packages

​Best Practices for Imports

​2. Virtual Environments

​Why isolate environments?

​Creating and Activating (Standard)

​Modern Alternative: uv

​What’s next?

Extending Python

1. Modules and Packages

Best Practices for Imports

2. Virtual Environments

Why isolate environments?

Creating and Activating (Standard)

Modern Alternative: `uv`

What’s next?