Python tutorials 23: Python File Handling | Better4Code
Information about Python File Handling
Python is a popular programming language that is widely used for file handling operations. In this Python tutorials, we will explore how to read, write, and manipulate files in Python using the built-in functions and modules. We will also provide examples of how to perform common file handling tasks, such as opening, closing, reading, writing, and manipulating files.
Opening and Closing Files in Python
Before we can read or write to a file, we must first open it using the “open” function. The “open” function takes two arguments: the name of the file we want to open, and the mode in which we want to open it.
file = open("filename.txt", "r")
In this example, we use the “open” function to open a file named “filename.txt” in read-only mode. The “r” mode specifies that we want to read the file.
After we have finished working with the file, we must close it using the “close” function:
file.close()
Reading Files in Python
Once we have opened a file, we can read its contents using the “read” function:
file = open("filename.txt", "r")
content = file.read()
file.close()
print(content)
In this example, we use the “read” function to read the contents of the file and store them in a variable named “content”. We then close the file and print the contents to the console.
Writing Files in Python
To write to a file, we can open it in write mode using the “w” mode:
file = open("filename.txt", "w")
file.write("Hello, world!")
file.close()
In this example, we use the “write” function to write the string “Hello, world!” to the file. We then close the file.
Appending to Files in Python
To append to an existing file, we can open it in append mode using the “a” mode:
file = open("filename.txt", "a")
file.write("This is a new line.")
file.close()
In this example, we use the “append” mode to open the file, and then use the “write” function to append the string “This is a new line.” to the end of the file. We then close the file.
Manipulating Files in Python
Python provides several built-in modules that allow us to manipulate files, such as the “os” module for file system operations and the “shutil” module for file and directory operations.
For example, we can use the “os” module to rename a file:
import os
os.rename("oldfile.txt", "newfile.txt")
In this example, we use the “rename” function from the “os” module to rename a file named “oldfile.txt” to “newfile.txt”.
Conclusion
File handling is a critical aspect of programming in Python, as it allows us to read, write, and manipulate files for a wide range of applications. In this article, we explored how to open and close files, read and write file contents, and manipulate files using built-in functions and modules in Python. By following these examples, developers can use file handling to create more robust and interactive applications in Python.
