NameError: name 'operator' is not defined in Python

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

The Python "NameError: name 'operator' is not defined" occurs when we use the operator module without importing it first. To solve the error, import the operator module before using it - import operator.

Here is an example of how the error occurs.

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# ⛔️ NameError: name 'operator' is not defined
print(operator.add(10, 20))

We have to import the operator module to solve the error.

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# ✅ import operator module first
import operator

print(operator.add(10, 20))  # 👉️ 30

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

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

An alternative to importing the entire operator module is to import only the functions that your code uses.

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from operator import add, sub

print(add(10, 20))  # 👉️ 30
print(sub(20, 10))  # 👉️ 10

The example shows how to import only the add and sub functions from the operator module.

Instead of accessing the members on the module, e.g. operator.add, we now access them directly.

This should be your preferred approach because it makes your code easier to read.

Conversely, when we import specific functions, it is much easier to see which functions from the operator module are being used.

You can view all of the functions the operator module provides by visiting the official docs.

Conclusion #

The Python "NameError: name 'operator' is not defined" occurs when we use the operator module without importing it first. To solve the error, import the operator module before using it - import operator.