import random error

[Rob B]

Hello,

I am just starting to learn Python and was writing a simple script on
my machine (Mac OS X 10.3.4), but I can't seem to import the random
module:

#!/usr/bin/env python

import random

Results in:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "./math.py", line 3, in ?
import random
File "/sw/lib/python2.3/random.py", line 42, in ?
from math import log as _log, exp as _exp, pi as _pi, e as _e
ImportError: cannot import name log

I have such a feeling that this is either a) because I don't know what
I'm doing or b) the python install is somehow strange. What is strange
is that in interactive mode, import random works fine.

Thanks in advance,

Rob

 

[Russell Blau]

I am just starting to learn Python and was writing a simple script on
my machine (Mac OS X 10.3.4), but I can't seem to import the random
module:

#!/usr/bin/env python

import random

Results in:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "./math.py", line 3, in ?
import random
File "/sw/lib/python2.3/random.py", line 42, in ?
from math import log as _log, exp as _exp, pi as _pi, e as _e
ImportError: cannot import name log

I have such a feeling that this is either a) because I don't know what
I'm doing or b) the python install is somehow strange. What is strange
is that in interactive mode, import random works fine.

Neither (a) nor (b). It is c) you have named your program "math.py" but
"math" happens also to be the name of a module in the standard Python
library, and the "random" module needs access to the "math" module. But
when it searches the Python path for a module named "math" it comes upon
your file first.

Simple solution: call your program something else! (and make sure you
delete math.py? from your working directory).

 

[A.M. Kuchling]

I have such a feeling that this is either a) because I don't know what
I'm doing or b) the python install is somehow strange. What is strange

It's a common mistake; the 'import math' is importing your math.py, not
Python's 'math' module. Rename your file to random-test.py or something
else that doesn't conflict, and it should work.

--amk

 

[Rob B]

Thanks! Hard to believe I spent so long on that