Question

What is the python keyword "with" used for?

Example from: http://docs.python.org/tutorial/inputoutput.html

>>> with open('/tmp/workfile', 'r') as f: 

   ... read_data = f.read() 

>>> f.closed 

True

Answer 1

The with keyword in python is used when working with unmanaged resources (like file streams). It is similar to the using statement in VB.NET and C#. It allows you to ensure that a resource is "cleaned up" when the code that uses it finishes running, even if exceptions are thrown. It provides 'syntactic sugar' for try/finally blocks.

To know more about this you can have a look at the following video tutorial:-