importlib.abc.MetaPathFinder

class importlib.abc.MetaPathFinder

An abstract base class representing a meta path finder. For compatibility, this is a subclass of Finder.

find_spec(fullname, path, target=None)

An abstract method for finding a spec for the specified module. If this is a top-level import, path will be None. Otherwise, this is a search for a subpackage or module and path will be the value of __path__ from the parent package. If a spec cannot be found, None is returned. When passed in, target is a module object that the finder may use to make a more educated about what spec to return.

New in version 3.4.

find_module(fullname, path)

A legacy method for finding a loader for the specified module. If this is a top-level import, path will be None. Otherwise, this is a search for a subpackage or module and path will be the value of __path__ from the parent package. If a loader cannot be found, None is returned.

If find_spec() is defined, backwards-compatible functionality is provided.

Changed in version 3.4: Returns None when called instead of raising NotImplementedError. Can use find_spec() to provide functionality.

Deprecated since version 3.4: Use find_spec() instead.

invalidate_caches()

An optional method which, when called, should invalidate any internal cache used by the finder. Used by importlib.invalidate_caches() when invalidating the caches of all finders on sys.meta_path.

Changed in version 3.4: Returns None when called instead of NotImplemented.