Lecture

File Reading and Writing

Python lets you read from and write to text files with the built-in open() function.

This is useful when you want to save data to a file or load data from one.


1. Opening a File

Use open(filename, mode) to work with a file.

  • "r" = read (default)
  • "w" = write (overwrites file)
  • "a" = append (adds to the end)
  • "x" = create (fails if file already exists)

Always close a file after using it, or use a with block to handle this automatically.


2. Reading a File

Open a file in "r" mode to read its contents.

Reading a File
with open("greeting.txt", "r") as file: content = file.read() print(content)
  • with ensures the file is closed automatically.
  • file.read() loads the entire file as a string.

3. Writing to a File

Open a file in "w" mode to create or overwrite it.

Writing to a File
with open("note.txt", "w") as file: file.write("This is a new line.")
  • "w" mode creates the file or replaces its content.
  • Use file.write() to add text.

4. Appending to a File

Open a file in "a" mode to add new content without removing existing data.

Appending to a File
with open("note.txt", "a") as file: file.write("\nThis line is added.")
  • "a" mode preserves existing content and writes new text at the end.

Summary

ModeDescription
"r"Read only
"w"Write (overwrites file)
"a"Append (adds to end of file)
"x"Create file, error if it exists
Quiz
0 / 1

How do you automatically ensure a file is closed after reading its contents in Python?

To automatically close a file in Python after reading, use the block.
try-except
def
with
loop

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