Name collision

Definition

A name collision occurs when two separate modules have functions, classes, or variables with the same name, leading to ambiguity and potential errors in the program. This typically happens during the import process.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Name collisions can cause unexpected behavior or bugs in a program if not handled properly.
2. Using aliases with 'import as' can help prevent name collisions by renaming the imported module.
3. Python's 'from ... import *' statement is particularly prone to causing name collisions.
4. Explicitly specifying what to import using 'from ... import [name]' reduces the risk of name collisions.
5. Namespaces in Python help avoid name collisions by creating a context for each identifier.

Review Questions

• What is a name collision and how does it occur?
• How can you prevent a name collision when importing modules?
• Why is using 'from ... import *' discouraged in large projects?

Related terms

Namespace: A container that holds a set of identifiers (names) and allows them to be organized and used without conflict.

Alias: An alternative name given to a module or identifier to prevent naming conflicts, often used with the 'as' keyword during imports.

'from ... import': A statement that allows selective importing of specific attributes from a module, reducing the risk of name collisions.