if __name__=='__main__' - Printable Version

if __name__=='__main__' - Printable Version

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if __name__=='__main__' - albin2005 - Sep-07-2021

can some explain what is if __name__=='__main__' ? and how it is used in python programs ?

Regards,
albin2005

RE: if __name__=='__main__' - Gribouillis - Sep-07-2021

In the global namespace of a Python file, there is an implicit variable named __name__. Its value is a string of characters, the name of the current module. When the Python file is the main program as opposed to an imported module, the name of the current module is '__main__'. Thus the condition

if __name__ == '__main__':
    do_something()

could be translated in pseudo code as

if this file is the main program currently executed:
    do_something()

On the other hand, if this file is imported by another Python file, instead of being the main program, this part of the code won't be executed.

RE: if __name__=='__main__' - Yoriz - Sep-07-2021

https://docs.python.org/3/faq/programming.html#how-do-i-find-the-current-module-name Wrote:How do I find the current module name?
A module can find out its own module name by looking at the predefined global variable __name__. If this has the value '__main__', the program is running as a script. Many modules that are usually used by importing them also provide a command-line interface or a self-test, and only execute this code after checking __name__:
def main():
    print('Running test...')
    ...

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

https://python-forum.io/thread-19700.html

RE: if __name__=='__main__' - albin2005 - Sep-07-2021

Thank You for the reply

regards
albin2005 Smile