Python – File Operations

In this lesson we are going to learn different file operations such as how to rename and delete a file. We would also learn how to work with folders.

We would cover the following:

1. Renaming and Deleting Files
2. Working with Directories
3. Python File Methods

1. Renaming and Deleting a File

The os module provides you with methods for performing various operations on file. For example, renaming a file or deleting a file.

However, to use this methods, you must import the os module using the command:

import os

The rename() Method

You use the rename() method to change the name of a file. The rename() method has two parameters. The current file_name and the new file_name.

For example, the code below changes the filename from old_filename.txt to new_filename.txt

import os

# change the filename
os.rename("old_filename, new_filename.txt")

The remove() Method

You can use the remove() for deleting files. The remove() methods takes only one parameter, that is the name of the file to be deleted.

For example, the code below deletes the file named myfile.txt

import os

# delete the file from disk
os.remove("myfile.txt")

2. Working with Directories

Files are contained in directories(folders). The os module provides various functions to help you handle directories in Python. We would consider three operations:

• Create a directory
• Delete a directory
• Change a directory

The mkdir() Method

You can use mkdir() method to create new directory. When you use this method to create a new directory, the directory is created in the current directory. You need to provide the name of the directory to be created as argument to the mkdir() method.

For example, the code below creates a directory named myfiles. I recommend you try it out.

import os

# create a new directory in the current path
os.mkdir("myfiles")

The chdir() Method

You use the chdir() method to change the current directory. You must provide the name of the directory you want to set as the current directory.

For example, the code below changes the current directory to D:\data

import os

# change the current directory to D:/data
os.chdir("D:/data")

The getcwd() Method()

You use this method to display the current working directory.For example

os.getcwd()

The rmdir() Method

You can use the rmdir()  to delete a directory from the disk. This method takes as parameter, the name of the directory you want to delete.

For example, the code below deletes the directory “D:/data”

import os

# delete the directory D:/data
os.rmdir("D:/data")

3. Python File Methods

The are several function that you can use for file operations in python. Once you create a file object, then you can use these functions to manage them.

Find the list below. I recommend you try each of them.