How To Suppress "undefined Global Variable: Import" Error Messages?
How to Suppress "Undefined Global Variable: Import" Error Messages in PyCharm and EmmyLua
As a developer, you're likely no stranger to the frustration of dealing with error messages in your code. In this article, we'll explore a specific issue that arises when using PyCharm and EmmyLua to develop a plugin for Lightroom (LR SDK). The latest PyCharm update has broken EmmyLua, and we've had to switch to EmmyLua2, which works with PyCharm 2025.1. However, we've encountered a new problem: EmmyLua2 flags all occurrences of "import" statements as errors, causing all identifiers defined in an "imported" module to be considered undefined.
In the context of the LR SDK scripting environment, "import" is a built-in function that takes a single parameter, the name of the namespace to be loaded, and returns the table of functions, which can then be accessed using dot notation. This is a crucial concept to grasp, as it's essential for understanding the behavior of EmmyLua2 and how to suppress the "undefined global variable: import" error messages.
The Problem with EmmyLua2
EmmyLua2, which we've adopted as a replacement for EmmyLua, has a different approach to handling "import" statements. Unlike EmmyLua, which considers the namespace of an imported module while checking the syntax of the importing module, EmmyLua2 treats "import" as a global variable. This means that all identifiers defined in an "imported" module are considered undefined, leading to a plethora of error messages.
Can Your Plugin Help?
As we've discovered, EmmyLua is able to handle "import" statements correctly, considering the namespace of an imported module while checking the syntax of the importing module. This raises an interesting question: can your plugin, which is designed to work with PyCharm and EmmyLua, help us suppress the "undefined global variable: import" error messages?
To address this issue, we'll need to explore various options for suppressing the error messages in PyCharm and EmmyLua. Here are a few potential solutions:
1. Disable the "Undefined Global Variable" Inspection
One possible solution is to disable the "Undefined Global Variable" inspection in PyCharm. This can be done by navigating to Settings > Editor > Inspections, and then disabling the "Undefined Global Variable" inspection.
2. Use a Custom Inspection
Another approach is to create a custom inspection that ignores the "import" statements. This can be achieved by creating a custom inspection plugin for PyCharm.
3. Modify the EmmyLua2 Code
A more drastic solution would be to modify the EmmyLua2 code to behave like EmmyLua. This would involve changing the way EmmyLua2 handles "import" statements, so that it considers the namespace of an imported module while checking the syntax of the importing module.
4. Use a Different IDE
If none of the above solutions work, we may need to consider using a different IDE, such as Visual Studio Code or IntelliJ IDEA, which may have better support for EmmyLua2 and the LR SDK.
In, suppressing the "undefined global variable: import" error messages in PyCharm and EmmyLua requires a combination of understanding the issue, exploring potential solutions, and possibly modifying the EmmyLua2 code. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve this issue and continue developing your plugin for Lightroom using PyCharm and EmmyLua.
For further information on the LR SDK and EmmyLua, please refer to the following resources:
If you're still experiencing issues with the "undefined global variable: import" error messages, try the following troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure you're using the latest version of PyCharm and EmmyLua2.
- Check that your import statements are correct and that you're using the correct namespace.
- Try disabling the "Undefined Global Variable" inspection in PyCharm.
- Consider creating a custom inspection plugin for PyCharm.
- If none of the above solutions work, try using a different IDE.
Frequently Asked Questions: Suppressing "Undefined Global Variable: Import" Error Messages in PyCharm and EmmyLua
A: The cause of the "undefined global variable: import" error messages in PyCharm and EmmyLua is due to the way EmmyLua2 handles "import" statements. Unlike EmmyLua, which considers the namespace of an imported module while checking the syntax of the importing module, EmmyLua2 treats "import" as a global variable.
A: To suppress the "undefined global variable: import" error messages in PyCharm, you can try the following:
- Disable the "Undefined Global Variable" inspection in PyCharm.
- Create a custom inspection plugin for PyCharm.
- Modify the EmmyLua2 code to behave like EmmyLua.
- Use a different IDE, such as Visual Studio Code or IntelliJ IDEA.
A: EmmyLua and EmmyLua2 are two different versions of the EmmyLua interpreter. EmmyLua is the original version, which is able to handle "import" statements correctly. EmmyLua2, on the other hand, is a newer version that treats "import" as a global variable.
A: Yes, you can use a different IDE to develop your plugin for Lightroom. Some popular alternatives to PyCharm include Visual Studio Code and IntelliJ IDEA. However, keep in mind that you may need to modify your code to work with the new IDE.
A: To troubleshoot issues with the "undefined global variable: import" error messages, try the following:
- Make sure you're using the latest version of PyCharm and EmmyLua2.
- Check that your import statements are correct and that you're using the correct namespace.
- Try disabling the "Undefined Global Variable" inspection in PyCharm.
- Consider creating a custom inspection plugin for PyCharm.
- If none of the above solutions work, try using a different IDE.
A: Yes, it is possible to modify the EmmyLua2 code to behave like EmmyLua. However, this would require a good understanding of the EmmyLua2 codebase and the LR SDK. It's also worth noting that modifying the EmmyLua2 code may not be the most efficient solution, and you may be better off using a different IDE or creating a custom inspection plugin for PyCharm.
A: Yes, you can get help from the PyCharm or EmmyLua communities. Both PyCharm and EmmyLua have active communities that can provide support and guidance on using their products. You can also try searching online for solutions to your specific issue.
A: Some best practices for suppressing "undefined global variable: import" error messages include:
- Using a consistent naming convention for your import statements.
- Making sure that your import statements are correct and that you're using the correct namespace.
- Using a custom inspection plugin for PyCharm to ignore the "import" statements.
- Modifying the EmmyLua2 code to behave like EmmyLua.
- Using a different IDE, such as Visual Studio Code or IntelliJ IDEA.