This Python File Methods lesson is for a beginner. Read the short notes, run each example, then change one name or number and run it again.
open returns a file object. read, readline, readlines, and write are the methods. close releases the file.
A with block calls close for you, including when an error is raised.
This runner has no project folder, so the example uses pathlib only to show a path.
Example 1: Start here
On disk, with open(path, encoding="utf-8") as handle: text = handle.read().
from pathlib import Path # load a tool that comes with Python
print(Path("notes.txt").suffix)
Example 2: Store the idea in a name
Python File Methods begins with a value you can point at. The name topic holds that text.
topic = "Python File Methods" # text
print(topic)
Example 3: Check it with if
An if chooses one branch. Change the score and run it again to see the other message.
score = 28 # a whole number
if score >= 80: # run the indented lines only when this is true
print("Pass")
else: # runs when the test above was false
print("Try again")
Example 4: Repeat with a loop
A for loop runs the indented line once per step. The numbers 1, 2, and 3 are printed on their own lines.
for step in range(1, 4): # repeat once per number; range stops before the last
print("Step", step) # a comma prints each value, with a space between
On disk, with open(path, encoding="utf-8") as handle: text = handle.read().
