How does Python determine where a module to import is located?

Python searches for a module to import from a list of directories stored in the variable sys.path. This list is formed from several sources:

• The directory from which the script is run (current working directory).
• The environment variable PYTHONPATH, if it is set.
• Standard installation directories of Python and libraries.

When import module_name is executed, the interpreter checks these paths sequentially and loads the first module it finds with that name.

Example output of search paths:

import sys
print(sys.path)