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Python File open() Method with Example

Python File open() Method: Here, we are going to learn about the open() method, how to create, open or append a file in various modes in Python. By IncludeHelp Last updated : November 26, 2023

File open() Method

The open() method is an inbuilt method in Python, it is used to create, open or append a file.

Syntax

The syntax of the open() method is:

file_object = open(file_name, file_mode)

Parameter(s)

The following are the parameter(s) of the open() method:

• file_name – It is used to specify the file name.
• file_mode – It is an optional parameter, it is used to specify the various file modes.
  • w – Opens the file in write mode i.e. creates a file.
  • r – Opens the file in reading mode.
  • a – Opens the file in append mode.
  • x – Creates the file, if file exists it returns an error.
  • t – It is used to file modes to specify the text mode (Example: wt, rt, at, and xt).
  • b – It is used to file modes to specify the binary mode (Example: wb, rb, ab, and xb).

Return value

The return type of this method is <class '_io.TextIOWrapper'>, it returns a file object.

open() Method: Example 1

# Python File open() Method with Example

print("creating files...")
# creating a file without specifying mode (b or t)
file1 = open("hello_1.txt", "w")

# creating a file in binary mode
file2 = open("hello_2.txt", "wb")

# creating a file in text mode
file3 = open("hello_3.txt", "wt")

print("file creation operation done...")

# printing the details of file objects
print(file1)
print(file2)
print(file3)

Output

creating files...
file creation operation done...
<_io.TextIOWrapper name='hello_1.txt' mode='w' encoding='UTF-8'>
<_io.BufferedWriter name='hello_2.txt'>
<_io.TextIOWrapper name='hello_3.txt' mode='wt' encoding='UTF-8'>

open() Method: Example 2

# Python File open() Method with Example

# creating a file
f = open("hello.txt", "w")
print("file created...")
print(f) # prints file details

# opening created file in read mode
f = open("hello.txt", "r")
print("file opened...")
print(f) # prints file details

# opening file in append mode 
f = open("hello.txt", "a")
print("file opened in append mode...")
print(f) # prints file details

Output

file created...
<_io.TextIOWrapper name='hello.txt' mode='w' encoding='UTF-8'>
file opened...
<_io.TextIOWrapper name='hello.txt' mode='r' encoding='UTF-8'>
file opened in append mode...
<_io.TextIOWrapper name='hello.txt' mode='a' encoding='UTF-8'>

open() Method: Example 3

# Python File open() Method with Example

# opening a file that doesn't exist
f = open("myfile.txt") # returns an error

Output

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "main.py", line 4, in <module>
   f = open("myfile.txt") # returns an error
FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'myfile.txt'