import all functions vs. import specific function [closed]

Question

Closed. This question does not meet Stack Overflow guidelines. It is not currently accepting answers.

---

Closed 8 years ago.

• This question was caused by a typo or a problem that can no longer be reproduced. While similar questions may be on-topic here, this one was resolved in a way less likely to help future readers.
• Questions asking for code must demonstrate a minimal understanding of the problem being solved. Include attempted solutions, why they didn't work, and the expected results. See also: Stack Overflow question checklist

Improve this question

In Python,

import shutil, os

allows me to call os.environ, os.path.exists(folder), os.listdir(pool), shutil.rmtree(folder) and shutil.copyree(). It seems that I call any function, defined in those modules. Nevertheless, I cannot call ctime() once I have imported import time. I must import ctime explicitly, by

from time import ctime

Why is such inconsistency? I find it difficult to program in such unpredictability.

Answer 1

from time import ctime allows to call ctime() directly, without time.ctime() prefix. It is me, who was inconsistent comparing fully qualified names os.listdir() with ctime() alone.