# Importing Libraries with Aliases in Python
In Python, it's common practice to import libraries using **aliases** — short names that make code easier to write and read. This is especially common in data science and analytics.
## Example
```python
import pandas as pd
import seaborn as sns
```
- `pandas` is imported as `pd`
- `seaborn` is imported as `sns`
These aliases are not mandatory but are **standard practice** in the Python community.
## Why Use Aliases?
- **Shorter code**: Instead of `pandas.DataFrame()` or `seaborn.load_dataset()`, you can write `pd.DataFrame()` or `sns.load_dataset()`.
- **Better readability**: `pd`, `sns`, `np`, and `plt` are instantly recognisable to anyone familiar with Python for data analysis.
- **Less typing**: Aliases reduce repetition when using library functions many times.
## Common Aliases
| Library | Alias |
|-------------------|-------|
| pandas | pd |
| numpy | np |
| matplotlib.pyplot | plt |
| seaborn | sns |
## Without an Alias
You can still import the full library:
```python
import seaborn
df = seaborn.load_dataset("tips")
```
But this is verbose and non-idiomatic for most data analysis work.