Modules & Imports

Use Python's built-in toolkit, math, random, datetime and more

Python comes with a huge standard library, thousands of ready-made tools you can use by importing them. You don't need to write everything from scratch.

import and from...importpython

# Import the whole module
import math
print(math.sqrt(16))   # 4.0
print(math.pi)         # 3.141592653589793

# Import just what you need
from math import sqrt, floor
print(sqrt(25))   # 5.0
print(floor(3.9)) # 3

Use import module when you'll use many things from it (keeps code clear about where things come from).
Use from module import name when you only need one or two things and want shorter code.

The math module, useful functions

math module highlightspython

import math

print(math.sqrt(144))     # 12.0, square root
print(math.ceil(4.1))     # 5, round up
print(math.floor(4.9))    # 4, round down
print(math.abs(-7))       # AttributeError! Use abs() instead
print(abs(-7))            # 7, abs is a built-in, not in math
print(math.pow(2, 10))    # 1024.0
print(math.log(1000, 10)) # 3.0, log base 10

The random module, generating random data

random modulepython

import random

print(random.randint(1, 6))        # random int 1–6 (dice roll!)
print(random.random())             # float between 0.0 and 1.0
print(random.choice(["a","b","c"])) # random pick from list

items = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
random.shuffle(items)              # shuffles the list in place
print(items)

🤔Quick Check

What does import random; random.randint(1, 10) return?

The datetime module, working with dates and times

datetime modulepython

from datetime import datetime, date

today = date.today()
print(today)                    # 2026-03-09
print(today.year)               # 2026
print(today.strftime("%d %B %Y"))  # 09 March 2026

now = datetime.now()
print(now.strftime("%H:%M"))    # 14:30  (current time)

Alias with `as`, if a module name is long or clashes with your code, rename it on import:
import datetime as dt then use dt.date.today()

🤔Quick Check

Which imports only the floor function from the math module?

🌍In the Real World...

boto3 for AWS, azure-mgmt for Azure, kubernetes client for K8s, paramiko for SSH, requests for HTTP APIs, every cloud SDK is a Python module you import. Learning modules unlocks the entire ecosystem.

🎯

Phase Complete!

Real World Python

You've worked through error handling, modules, and real-world Python tools. Name 3 Python modules you'd use in a DevOps script and what you'd use each one for.

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Practice Exercises

0/3 solved

Exercise 1 of 3easy

⏱ 00:00

Hypotenuse Calculator

Use math.sqrt to calculate the hypotenuse of a right triangle.
Formula: c = √(a² + b²)
Given: a = 3, b = 4Expected output: Hypotenuse: 5.0

solution.py

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Exercise 2 of 3easy

⏱ 00:00

Dice Simulator

Simulate rolling two dice and print the result.
Use random.randint(1, 6) for each die.
Expected output format: Die 1: X, Die 2: Y, Total: Z
(The actual numbers will vary, just make sure the format is correct and total = die1 + die2)

solution.py

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Exercise 3 of 3medium

⏱ 00:00

Days Until New Year

Calculate how many days remain until January 1st of next year.
Use date.today() and date(year, month, day) from the datetime module.
Print: Days until New Year: X

solution.py

3 / 3

Solve all 3 exercises to unlock completion

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