Python File System Operation Snippets Collection

In this post, I’ll share some simple snippet to do various file system operation. Pretty much as a bookmark for my own usage, in case I needed it someday.

How to get current working directory:

import os
os.getcwd()

How to change working directory:

import os
os.chdir('/tmp/')

How to list directory contents:

import os
os.listdir('/tmp/')

How to check if directory / file exists:

import os
os.path.exists('/tmp/')#work for both file and directory

How to create directory:

import os
dir = os.path.dirname('/tmp/current_object/')
  if not os.path.exists(d):
    os.makedirs(d)

Using code above will ensure you did not create directory that already exists

How to delete file or directory:

import os
os.remove('/tmp/')

or if you want to delete non empty directory:

import shutil
shutil.rmtree('/tmp/somefolder')

How to create temporary directory:

import os
import tempfile
import shutil
#let OS decide where they want to create the temp directory
tmpdir = tempfile.mkdtemp('somesuffix', 'someprefix')
#You want to take control where you want the temp directory be created
tmpdir = tempfile.mkdtemp('somesuffix', 'someprefix', '/tmp/path/of/your/choice/')
#be sure to remove the temp directory once work is done
shutil.rmtree('/tmp/somefolder')

How to create temporary file:

import os
import tempfile
#let OS decide where they want to create the temp directory
tmpfile = tempfile.mkstemp('somesuffix', 'someprefix', None, 'some initial contents')
#You want to take control where you want the temp directory be created
tmpfile = tempfile.mkstemp('somesuffix', 'someprefix', '/tmp/path/of/your/choice/', 'some initial contents')
#be sure to remove the temp directory once work is done
os.remove(tmpfile)

How to check file permission:

import os
import stat
file = '/tmp/'
stt = os.stat(file)
mode = stt[stat.ST_MODE]
print "%s mode is: %s" % (file, mode)