Why Python Imports views Instead of views.py in Django

[Rajeev Bagra]

When beginners start learning Django, they often come across the following code in a urls.py file:

from django.urls import path
from . import views

urlpatterns = [
    path("", views.index, name="index")
]

A common question that arises is:

Why does the code say views instead of views.py?

Let’s break this down in a simple and clear way.

---

Python Imports Use Module Names, Not File Extensions

In Python, when we import code from another file, we do not include the .py extension.

For example, if we have a file:

views.py

Python imports it using:

import views

or

from . import views

Python automatically understands that views refers to the file views.py.

This is part of Python’s module system.

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What Is a Module in Python?

A module is simply a Python file that contains code such as functions, classes, or variables.

Example file:

views.py

Example content:

def index(request):
    return "Hello, world!"

Here:

• views.py → the file
• views → the module name used for importing

So when Python imports the file, it refers to it by the module name (views) rather than the file name (views.py).

---

Why Python Does Not Use .py in Imports

Python was designed so that imports look clean and work across different types of modules.

Instead of writing:

import views.py   # ❌ invalid

Python expects:

import views      # ✅ correct

When Python sees import views, it automatically searches for:

• views.py
• views package directory
• compiled Python modules

This flexibility makes the import system more powerful.

---

What from . import views Means in Django

In Django apps, you will often see:

from . import views

The dot (.) means:

Import the module from the current directory (current app).

So Python looks for:

current_app_folder/views.py

and loads it as a module named views.

---

How This Connects to URL Routing

Consider this line in Django:

path("", views.index, name="index")

Here:

• views → the module (views.py)
• index → a function inside that file

Example views.py:

from django.http import HttpResponse

def index(request):
    return HttpResponse("Hello, world!")

Request flow becomes:

User visits website
        ↓
Django checks urls.py
        ↓
path("", views.index)
        ↓
index() function runs
        ↓
Response sent to browser

---

Key Rule to Remember

When importing Python files:

File Name	Import Statement
views.py	import views
models.py	import models
utils.py	import utils

Always use the module name, not the .py extension.

---

Final Takeaway

When you see this in Django:

from . import views

it simply means:

Import the views.py file located in the current Django app so that its functions (like index) can be used in URL routing.

Understanding this small concept helps clarify how Django connects URLs, views, and responses, which is a core part of how web applications work.

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