Answer: You can check whether a file exists without exceptions in Python by using os.path(), pathlib, and os.access modules.
Before working with files, such as reading, writing, or performing any other manipulation function, it is necessary to verify their existence. Modules like os.path, pathlib, and os.access can efficiently accomplish this. An exception is just a program execution event that typically disrupts the program’s flow. In this blog let’s explore multiple methods to check whether the file exists without exceptions in Python
Table of Contents:
Methods to Check Whether a File Exists without Exceptions in Python
Python provides multiple built-in methods that can be used to apply various file-handling operations. Some of these methods are:
Method 1: Using os.path() module in Python
This module includes various useful functions on the pathnames and prefers parameters in the form of strings or bytes.
Example:
Output
Explanation: Assigning the variable to the file name comes after loading OS modules, which typically lets us communicate with the operating system. If a file exists, the block that checks for its existence is executed; if not, the block is executed.
Method 2: Using pathlib module in Python
The path class, which has two types of paths—pure paths and concrete paths—is the main component of the pathlib package. Some frequent actions affecting the filesystem paths can be completed with the help of this module.
An object-oriented approach is used to handle filesystem paths.
Example:
Output
Explanation
The path is an object-oriented class that is part of the pathlib package. The “xyz.txt” in the current working directory is represented by creating a path object. Depending on the condition specified in the if-else statement, file_a.exists() checks to see if the file exists and prints the existence status.
Method 3: Using os.access() module in Python
It uses the uid and gid to verify if the path is accessible. os.access(path, mode) is the syntax.
The path is used to verify that the file is present and accessible, and the modes include F_OK to verify that the path exists and R_OK, W_OK, and X_OK to verify that the path is executed and to test for readability and writability.
Example:
Output
Explanation:
Setting the variable the file name and importing the OS module. os.access(path, mode) method verifies the file and operates according to the mode; in this case, the mode is F_OK, thus it verifies that the path exists. The code prints “The file access.txt exists” if the condition is true, and “The file access.txt does not exist” as output if the condition is false.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned techniques are straightforward, object-oriented, and readable without interfering with the program’s execution flow and help you understand in better way. The decisions are based on the projects’ needs. Understanding these methods helps to check the existence of the file without exception in Python.