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Get to Python source code instantly using importlib and inspect

Blog post from Pybites

Post Details
Company
Date Published
Author
Bob Belderbos
Word Count
536
Language
English
Hacker News Points
-
Summary

Originally an open-source project, a tool for quickly accessing Python source code can now be implemented using the Python Standard Library and a shell alias. The project utilizes various Python modules like `importlib`, `inspect`, and `pydoc` to dynamically import modules, retrieve class or function objects, and display their source code either directly or through a pager for easier navigation. Command-line interaction is facilitated by `argparse`, allowing users to specify the module and optionally use the pager feature. The script can be integrated into Vim for convenience and has been packaged and uploaded to PyPI under the name `pybites-pysource`, distinct from another unrelated package named `pysource`. This experimental tool aims to simplify the process of exploring Python's Standard Library code.