Solving ModuleNotFoundError in VS Code: How to Properly Set Up Your PYTHONPATH

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Solving ModuleNotFoundError in VS Code: How to Properly Set Up Your PYTHONPATH

If you're a beginner in Python programming and you're using Visual Studio Code (VS Code) as your editor, you might run into a frustrating situation: your code imports autocomplete perfectly but throws a ModuleNotFoundError when you attempt to run the program. This issue usually stems from a misunderstanding of how import paths are resolved in Python. In this guide, we'll work together to solve this problem effectively.

The Problem

Consider the following directory structure in your project:

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While everything seems fine at first glance (especially since autocomplete works), running this file results in an error message like this:

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Despite adding a .env file with PYTHONPATH="C:/Users/user_1/my_packages" and configuring your workspace settings, the Python interpreter still fails to find your module.

Why This Happens

This issue arises because the way Pylance (the Python language server in VS Code) operates differs from how the Python interpreter works. Autocompletion may function correctly, but the interpreter still needs an explicit path to find modules outside its default search directories. This is a common predicament for beginners, especially when managing environments and dependencies.

The Solution

Here’s how to easily resolve this issue by modifying the path dynamically within your script. Follow these steps:

1. Modify Your Import Statement

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2. Explanation of the Code

import sys: This line imports the built-in sys module, which provides access to some variables used or maintained by the interpreter.

3. Why Does This Work?

4. Additional Considerations

Workspace Configuration: Ensure that the folder you open in VS Code is set correctly as your workspace. This affects how relative paths are resolved.

Conclusion

Happy coding!