Introduction
The reload() function can be used to make dynamic changes within your code with import statements. They are used with import statements and their function primarily is to reload an imported module in python. The import statement is only loaded once by the python interpreter which is why we have the reload() function. The reload() function let’s you import and reload the imported statement multiple times. Now let’s take a look at this example:
Let’s say we are currently working on a python file in our IDE titled experiment.py. Now, we have another python file that we want to import into the “experiment.py” file, titled hello.py. We can code this out like this:
import hello
The code above is written in the experiment.py file making it clear that we are to import the hello.py file into the experiment.py file we are currently working on. When we run the code above, the import statement is only loaded once by the python interpreter and so when we print this out, it loads once. But by importing the reload() function like the code below:
import importlib
import hello
importlib.reload(hello)
importlib.reload(hello)
importlib.reload(hello)
When we run the code above, we see that the import statement is loaded more than once. This is because with the aid of the reload() function, we can import and reload the module multiple times.
Note though that the (importlib) module is where the reload function is. It has to be imported first for you to have access to the reload function.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the reload() function is just as important as the import statement. In fact, it amplifies the use of the import statement and makes it a better advantage for us. Therefore, it is one tool we do not want to take for granted or play with as developers for it can make our work space and work environment more effective and easier.
