Introduction Show
File handling is an integral part of programming. File handling in Python is simplified with built-in methods, which include creating, opening, and closing files. While files are open, Python additionally allows performing various file operations, such as reading, writing, and appending information. This article teaches you how to work with files in Python. Prerequisites
Opening Files in PythonThe open() Python method is the primary file handling function. The basic syntax is: file_object = open('file_name', 'mode')The open() function takes two elementary parameters for file handling: 1. The file_name includes the file extension and assumes the file is in the current working directory. If the file location is elsewhere, provide the absolute or relative path. 2. The mode is an optional parameter that defines the file opening method. The table below outlines the different possible options:
The mode must have exactly one create(x)/read(r)/write(w)/append(a) method, at most one +. Omitting the mode defaults to 'rt' for reading text files. Below is a table describing how each of the modes behave when invoked.
Read ModeThe read mode in Python opens an existing file for reading, positioning the pointer at the file's start. Note: If the file does not exist, Python throws an error. To read a text file in Python, load the file by using the open() function: f = open("<file name>")The mode defaults to read text ('rt'). Therefore, the following method is equivalent to the default: f = open("<file name>", "rt")To read files in binary mode, use: f = open("<file name>", "rb")Add + to open a file in read and write mode: f = open("<file name>", "r+") # Textual read and writef = open("<file name>", "rt+") # Same as abovef = open("<file name>", "rb+") # Binary read and writeIn all cases, the function returns a file object and the characteristics depend on the chosen mode. Write ModeWrite mode creates a file for writing content and places the pointer at the start. If the file exists, write truncates (clears) any existing information. Warning: Write mode deletes existing content immediately. Check if a file exists before overwriting information by accident. To open a file for writing information, use: f = open("<file name>", "w")The default mode is text, so the following line is equivalent to the default: f = open("<file name>", "wt")To write in binary mode, open the file with: f = open("<file name>", "wb")Add + to allow reading the file: f = open("<file name>", "w+") # Textual write and readf = open("<file name>", "wt+") # Same as abovef = open("<file name>", "wb+") # Binary write and readThe open() function returns a file object whose details depend on the chosen modes. Append ModeAppend mode adds information to an existing file, placing the pointer at the end. If a file does not exist, append mode creates the file. Note: The key difference between write and append modes is that append does not clear a file's contents. Use one of the following lines to open a file in append mode: f = open("<file name>", "a") # Text appendf = open("<file name>", "at") # Same as abovef = open("<file name>", "ab") # Binary appendAdd the + sign to include the read functionality. Create ModeCreate mode (also known as exclusive create) creates a file only if it doesn't exist, positioning the pointer at the start of the file. Note: If the file exists, Python throws an error. Use this mode to avoid overwriting existing files. Use one of the following lines to open a file in create mode: f = open("<file name>", "x") # Text createf = open("<file name>", "xt") # Same as abovef = open("<file name>", "xb") # Binary createAdd the + sign to the mode include reading functionality to any of the above lines. Reading Files in PythonAfter importing a file into an object, Python offers numerous methods to read the contents. Use the read() method on the file object and print the result. For example: f = open("file.txt") print(f.read(),end="")Note: The print() function automatically adds a new empty line. To change this behavior, add the end="" parameter to print() to remove the empty line. The code prints the text file's contents. Read Parts of the FileProvide a number to the read() function to read only the specified number of characters: f = open("file.txt") print(f.read(5))The output prints the first five characters in the file. Alternatively, use the readline() method to print only the first line of the file: f = open("file.txt") print(f.readline())Add an integer to the readline() function to print the specified number of characters without exceeding the first line. Read LinesTo read lines and iterate through a file's contents, use a for loop: f = open("file.txt") for line in f: print(line, end="")Alternatively, use the readlines() method on the file object: f = open("file.txt") print(f.readlines())The function returns the list of lines from the file stream. Add an integer to the readlines() function to control the number of lines. For example: f = open("file.txt") print(f.readlines(15))The integer represents the character number, and the function returns the line where the character ends along with the previous lines. Close FilesA file remains open until invoking the close() function. It's good practice to close files no longer in use to avoid unpredictable file behavior and corrupted files. To close a file, run the close() method on the file object: f.close()An alternative way to ensure a file closes is to use the with statement. For example: with open("<file name>"): file_contents = f.read() # Additional code hereThe with statement automatically closes the file. Deleting Files in PythonRemoving files in Python requires establishing communication with the operating system. Import the os library and delete a file with the following: import os os.remove("file.txt")The file is no longer available. If the file does not exist, Python throws an error. Python File MethodsPython offers various other functions when working with file objects. Below is a table that outlines all available processes and what they do.
Conclusion You know how to handle files in Python after reading this guide. Try using a Python library such as Pandas to work with other file types. Where is the read position when an input file is opened?When an input file is opened, its read position is initially set to the first item in the file.
When you open a file for writing if a file already exists the file will be destroyed?In place of mode you write one of the three modes - these are OUTPUT, APPEND, and INPUT. The OUTPUT mode permits Basic to write information to the file. If the file already exists, Basic will overwrite the old file with the new information, destroying all previous contents of the file.
What happens if you try to open a file for input read mode but that file does not exist?When you open a file for reading, if the file does not exist, the program will open an empty file.
When a file is opened for append?When the file is opened in append mode, the handle is positioned at the end of the file. The data being written will be inserted at the end, after the existing data.
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