Files Handling

Functions

• open() : returns a File object

• read() and write() methods on a File object

• close() : to close an open File

Open()

Read Mode (default)

f = open('myfile.txt') # is the same as: f=open('myfile.txt','r')

Write Mode

Opens file for writing, overwrites if file exists, creates if not.

f = open('myfile.txt','w')

Append Mode

Opens file for appending, creates if file does not exist.

f = open('myfile.txt','a')

Create Mode

Create file, error if file already exists.

f = open('myfile.txt','x')

Read()

Returns the whole text by default. You can specify how many characters you want into the parentheses.

all_text = f.read()
first_20_chars = f.read(20)

ReadLine()

Returns a line each time the method is called.

first_line = f.readline()
sec_line = f.readline()

ReadLines()

Returns a list containing all lines.

lines = f.readlines()
first = lines[0]
last = lines[-1]

Write()

content = "blablabla"
f.write(content)