Modules and packages are fundamental concepts in programming, especially in languages like Python. A module is essentially a file containing Python code that can define functions, classes, and variables. It helps in organizing code into manageable sections. By importing a module into your script, you can use the functions and classes defined in that module without having to rewrite them.

For example, if you have a module named math_operations with a function add, you can import this module into your script and use the add function directly. This promotes code reuse and makes your codebase cleaner and easier to maintain.

Packages, on the other hand, are collections of modules organized in a directory hierarchy. They allow you to group related modules together. For instance, you might have a package called utilities with submodules like file_utils and data_utils. By importing the package, you gain access to all its submodules and their functionality, which can be very useful for managing larger projects.