What does if name == "main": do?

Practical applications of if __name__ == "__main__":

This idiom primarily serves a dual purpose:

Keeping main logic under wraps

By encapsulating your script’s main logic in a main() function within this block, you are putting an invisibility cloak on your script, preventing it from executing when imported as a module. Its benefits include improved readability and cleaner module-level namespace.

Opening doors for multiple-run-points

The if __name__ == "__main__": idiom allows a script to play two roles—both a reusable module and a standalone program. Scripts can lushly live a double-life, capable of running singly or branching out and blending into other scripts without side effects.

Use Cases:

• Embedded Testing: Glue-in tests in a script that operate only when the script is run directly, without being an annoying third wheel during module imports.
• Modular Programming: Code concocted with if __name__ == "__main__": can be imported and shared across multiple projects.
• Command-line localhost party: Use it to protect your command-line argument handling code from crashing the party when the code is imported.

Stepping out of pitfalls

Wield the power of if __name__ == "__main__": judiciously to outsmart errors and optimize maintainability.

Getting knotted with recursive imports

Recursive imports, if uncontrolled, can warp your code into a knot. The if __name__ == "__main__": idiom comes to the rescue, preventing unexpected code execution due to recursive imports.

Dodging command-line argument mismatches

Shield your code against command-line argument handling mismatches by housing the command-line parsing code snugly in the main-function concert hall. This ensures that your script doesn’t miss a beat, accurately processing command-line arguments when it's run directly.

The if __name__ == "__main__": seen in the wild

This idiom beholds the sign of a Pythonista. Including it in your code signals that you are a developer who values maintainability and readability.

Multiple __name__ checks: unusual but possible

You can technically take the __name__ for a multistep check ride in a single file, but this is neither common nor recommended, as steering in a single main track is easier to handle.

Gets a nod from Python's official sources

if __name__ == "__main__": is a thumbs-up usage, acclaimed by the official Python documentation. Evidence of this is scattered generously not only in the Python standard library but also in third-party packages.

Keeping control over the reins

The if __name__ == "__main__": idiom stands like a checkpoint in your script, making your intentions clear and putting a bridle on the module interfaces.

Crafting reusable designs

In the era of code-reusability, if __name__ == "__main__": helps chisel out scripts that offer both unit functionality and integration capability. It's a masterstroke of architectural design that welcomes expansion and variation.

Prioritizing script safety

Script safety holds the same weightage as other safety protocols. By ensuring only intentional code paths execute, the idiom helps prevent mishaps that may arise from unintended script behavior.