Python Modules vs Libraries: Key Differences
Modules and libraries in Python are two distinct concepts.
- Module: A module is a file containing Python code, typically including definitions of functions, classes, and variables. In Python, we can import modules using the import statement and then use the functions, classes, and variables defined in the module.
- Library: A library refers to a collection of related modules, typically used to solve specific problems or provide specific functionalities. The Python standard library is the core library of the Python language, offering a wide range of modules and functions for various common tasks. Additionally, there are many third-party libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, etc., which provide more enhanced and advanced functionalities to help us develop various applications more conveniently.
Therefore, modules can be considered as components of a library, which is a collection of multiple modules. In actual development, we can import different modules and libraries as needed to achieve the desired functionality.