Python has built-in functions and object that users can use directly (no need to import). However, if you import another module which hide a built-in function or object, you cannot use it anymore. For example, sum is a built-in function in Python which can be used directly. However, if you use PySpark import SQL functions (from pyspark.sql.functions import *), the built-in function sum is hidden by the PySpark SQL function sum. You can still use the built-in function sum by importing the builtins module.

References¶

https://docs.python.org/3/library/builtins.html

https://docs.python.org/3/library/constants.html#built-in-consts

https://docs.python.org/3/library/functions.html#built-in-funcs