conditional import into global namespace

[MRAB]

mk wrote:
> Hello everyone,
> 
> I have a class that is dependent on subprocess functionality. I would 
> like to make it self-contained in the sense that it would import 
> subprocess if it's not imported yet.
> 
> What is the best way to proceed with this?
> 
> I see a few possibilities:
> 
> 1. do a class level import, like:
> 
> class TimeSync(object):
> 
>     import subprocess
> 
> 
> 2. do an import in init, which is worse bc it's ran every time an 
> instance is created:
> 
>     def __init__(self, shiftsec, ntpserver):
>         import subprocess
> 
> 
> Both of those methods have disadvantage in this context, though: they 
> create 'subprocess' namespace in a class or instance, respectively.
> 
> Is there anyway to make it a global import?
> 
The simplest solution is just import it at the top of the module.