NameError: name 'array' is not defined in Python

NameError: name 'array' is not defined in Python #

The Python "NameError: name 'array' is not defined" occurs when we use the array module without importing it first. To solve the error, import from the array module before using it - from array import array. If using numpy, access array on the numpy module, e.g. np.array.

Here is an example of how the error occurs.

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# ⛔️ NameError: name 'array' is not defined
arr = array('l', [1, 2, 3])

print(arr)

To solve the error, we have to import the array class from the array module.

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# ✅ import array class from array module first
from array import array

arr = array('l', [1, 2, 3])

print(arr)

If you use the numpy module, access array on the module after importing it.

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# ✅ import numpy
import numpy as np

# 👇️ access array on np module
arr = np.array([1, 2, 3])

print(arr)

Even though the array module is in the Python standard library, we still have to import it before using it.

Also, make sure you haven't imported array in a nested scope, e.g. a function. Import the module at the top level to be able to use it throughout your code.

The array module defines an object type which can compactly represent an array of values.

If you don't need to constrain the type of objects stored in a sequence, use a Python list instead.

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my_list = [1, 2, 3]

print(my_list)

You can read more about the array module by visiting the official docs.

Conclusion #

The Python "NameError: name 'array' is not defined" occurs when we use the array module without importing it first. To solve the error, import from the array module before using it - from array import array. If using numpy, access array on the numpy module, e.g. np.array.