If__name__ = '__main__' main method

When I started python as a beginner, the first thing which was confusing me is If__name__ = “__main__”.  It is mainly used to check whether the module is imported or not.

Usually the code inside ‘If’ block will be executed only, if it ran directly.

Let’s take a closer look at this.

If python interpreter is running the module (m1 )as a main program it sets the __name__ variable to the value __main__. So thus printing the __name__ variable will produce output “__main__”.

Let’s consider we import the module m1 to another module m2.

#m2.py
Import m1

Print m1.__name__

Now if we are printing the __name__ variable which will provide module name ‘m1’ as output.

By giving if __name __ == “__main__” statement, you can check whether your program is being run directly or imported by someone else.