[Python-Dev] Proposed Python api for testing whether a module exists

[Jim Fulton]

I propose to add the following function to the imp module:

   exists(module_name)

      Test whether the named module can be found.

      This method should be used when you want to perform
      alternate actions depending on whether a module is available.

      Returns True of the module can be found and False otherwise.
      A True return value does not guarentee that the module will be
      importable.  The module will not be imported as a result of
      calling exists, but parent modules may be.

      If a dotted module name is given, then parent modules will be
      imported if they haven't already been imported.


If there are no objections, I'll try to get this in before Wednesday night.

Jim

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