title: Does python have something like C++'s using keyword?
body: <p>In C++ you can often drastically improve the readability of your code by careful usage of the "using" keyword, for example: </p>
  
  <pre><code>void foo()
  {
      std::vector&lt; std::map &lt;int, std::string&gt; &gt; crazyVector;
      std::cout &lt;&lt; crazyVector[0].begin()-&gt;first;
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>becomes</p>
  
  <pre><code>void foo()
  {
      using namespace std; // limited in scope to foo
      vector&lt; map &lt;int, string&gt; &gt; crazyVector;
      cout &lt;&lt; crazyVector[0].begin()-&gt;first;
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Does something similar exist for python, or do I have to fully qualify everything?</p>
  
  <p>I'll add the disclaimer that I know that using has its pitfalls and it should be appropriately limited in scope. </p>