Python 'AttributeError: module X has no attribute Y' or 'partially initialized module' after naming my own file random.py, json.py or requests.py: how do I fix this shadowing problem?

Cause: When you run a script, Python puts the script's directory (or the current directory for python -m and python -c) at the front of sys.path. A file of yours with the same name as a standard library or installed module, for example random.py, json.py, email.py or requests.py, is found first and imported instead of the real module. Your file does not contain the attribute you are asking for, so you get AttributeError: module 'random' has no attribute 'randint', or a "partially initialized module ... (most likely due to a circular import)" message when your file imports itself indirectly. Built-in modules (those listed in sys.builtin_module_names) are checked before sys.path, so they cannot be shadowed this way; ordinary stdlib and third-party modules can. Fix (best first): 1. Find the culprit. Run: python -c "import random; print(random.__file__)" from the failing directory (use the module name from your error). If the path points into your project, that file is shadowing it. 2. Rename your file (for example random.py to random_utils.py) and delete the stale __pycache__ directory next to it, including the .pyc named after the old file, so the old compiled copy is not picked up. 3. Also check for a directory with the same name as the module that contains an __init__.py, or a folder of that name in the current directory; packages shadow modules the same way. 4. To guard against the problem going forward, run with python -P script.py or set PYTHONSAFEPATH=1 (Python 3.11 and later) so the script directory is not prepended to sys.path, or python -I for fully isolated mode. Prefer running your own code as a package with python -m package.module and giving your modules distinctive names. 5. Do not "fix" it by hacking sys.path order; renaming is the reliable solution. Verify: python -c "import <module>; print(<module>.__file__)" now prints a path in the standard library or site-packages, and the original script runs without the AttributeError. Sources: https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/modules.html https://docs.python.org/3/library/sys_path_init.html