Solution to Python setup.py develop VSCode still showing module not found

1. Introduction

Using

2. Understanding Python’s Module Import Mechanism

Before solving this problem, we need to understand Python’s module import mechanism. A Python module is a file containing code that can be imported and used by other Python scripts. When we use the import statement in our code to import a module, Python locates the module according to a specific search path and then loads it into the execution environment. This search path includes the current directory, directories specified by the PYTHONPATH environment variable, and the standard library directory under the Python installation directory.

3. Problem Analysis

When running code in VSCode, a “module not found” error may occur. This could be due to the following reasons:

• Third-party libraries are not installed
• The Python interpreter is not configured correctly in VSCode
• The Python environment in VSCode is inconsistent with the Python environment in the terminal
• Issue of linking the project to the virtual environment

4. Solution

Next, we will provide solutions to each of the above issues.

4.1 Third-party library not installed

First, ensure that the third-party library we are using is installed correctly. You can check whether the library is installed by executing the following command in the terminal:

pip show <library_name>

If the library is not installed, execute the following command to install it:

pip install <library_name>

4.2 Python interpreter not configured correctly

In VS Code, we need to configure the correct Python interpreter to ensure that imported modules can be found correctly. You can do this by following the steps below:

1. Open VS Code, click the “Python version” selector in the lower-left corner, and select the correct Python interpreter. If the interpreter you need is not listed, select “Enter interpreter path” and manually specify the interpreter path.

2. Alternatively, you can specify the Python interpreter path using the "python.pythonPath" key in VSCode’s settings.

4.3 The Python environment in VSCode is inconsistent with the environment in the terminal

Sometimes, even if you have configured the correct Python interpreter in VSCode, you may still get a “module not found” error. This may be because the Python environment used by VSCode is inconsistent with the Python environment used in the terminal. To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Execute the following command in the terminal to view the path of the current Python environment:

python -c "import sys; print(sys.prefix)"

2. In VSCode, press Ctrl + Shift + P and enter “Python: Select Interpreter,” then select “Enter interpreter path.”

3. Enter the Python environment path output in the terminal and click OK.

4.4 Project and Virtual Environment Association Issues

If you still encounter the “module not found” error when using a virtual environment, there may be a problem with the association between the project and the virtual environment. You can try the following solutions:

1. Activate the virtual environment in the terminal, for example, using the command source venv/bin/activate.

2. Ensure that the required third-party libraries are installed in the virtual environment. You can run the command pip list to view the installed libraries.

3. In VSCode, press Ctrl+Shift+P and enter “Python: Select Interpreter,” then select the interpreter for the virtual environment.

4. Rerun the code in VSCode and check if the “module not found” error still occurs.

5. Conclusion

The “module not found” error is a common problem when using VSCode for Python development. By understanding Python’s module import mechanism and implementing appropriate solutions, this problem can be easily resolved. Ensuring that third-party libraries are correctly installed, configuring the correct Python interpreter, ensuring that the Python environment in VSCode is consistent with the environment in the terminal, and correctly linking the project with the virtual environment can effectively resolve this issue.