__all__ does not hide names from direct import

Question

Accepted Answer

__all__ is exclusively about the wildcard import ('from module import *'). It has no effect on explicit named imports. Any name in a module - whether in __all__ or not, and whether it starts with _ or not - can be imported directly if you name it. The leading underscore convention is just that: a convention. Python does not enforce it. This is a common misconception. __all__ gives you control over what 'import *' pulls in, but it does not hide or protect anything from someone who knows the name and imports it directly.