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if __name__ == "__main__" in Python
The if __name__ == "__main__"
construct in Python is used to determine whether the Python script is being run as the main program or being imported as a module into another script. This is particularly useful for writing code that can be both imported and executed standalone.
1. Usage
The common usage of if __name__ == "__main__"
is:
if == "__main__":
# Code to be executed when the script is run directly
2. Example
Consider the following example:
# Module code
def hello():
print("Hello, world!")
if == "__main__":
# Executed when the script is run directly
hello()
If you run this script directly, it will print Hello, world!
. However, if you import this script as a module into another script, the hello()
function will not be executed unless explicitly called.
3. Benefits
- Allows a module to be both imported and run as a standalone script.
- Helps separate code that is meant to be reusable from code that is meant to be executed directly.