The os module in Python provides powerful functions for file and directory operations, including creating, renaming, deleting, and checking file properties.

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🔹 Importing the os Module

import os

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🔹 1️⃣ Checking if a File Exists (os.path.exists())

Before performing file operations, it’s a good practice to check if the file exists.

file_path = "example.txt"

if os.path.exists(file_path):
    print("File exists!")
else:
    print("File does not exist.")

✅ Use Case: Prevent errors when accessing a file.

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🔹 2️⃣ Creating a New File (open() + os.path.exists())

• If the file does not exist, create it using open().

file_path = "example.txt"

if not os.path.exists(file_path):
    open(file_path, "w").close()
    print("File created!")
else:
    print("File already exists.")

✅ Use Case: Ensure files are available before writing.

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🔹 3️⃣ Renaming a File (os.rename())

os.rename("example.txt", "new_example.txt")
print("File renamed successfully!")

✅ Use Case: Updating filenames dynamically.

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🔹 4️⃣ Deleting a File (os.remove())

os.remove("new_example.txt")
print("File deleted!")

⚠ Be careful! This action is irreversible.

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🔹 5️⃣ Getting File Size (os.path.getsize())

file_path = "data.txt"

if os.path.exists(file_path):
    size = os.path.getsize(file_path)
    print(f"File size: {size} bytes")
else:
    print("File not found!")

✅ Use Case: Check file size before uploading.

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🔹 6️⃣ Checking If It’s a File or Directory (os.path.isfile() & os.path.isdir())

path = "example.txt"

if os.path.isfile(path):
    print("It's a file!")
elif os.path.isdir(path):
    print("It's a directory!")
else:
    print("Path does not exist.")

✅ Use Case: Prevent errors by verifying paths.

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🔹 7️⃣ Getting File Path Information

🔹 Absolute Path (os.path.abspath())

print(os.path.abspath("example.txt"))

🔹 File Name (os.path.basename())

print(os.path.basename("/home/user/example.txt"))  # Output: example.txt

🔹 Directory Name (os.path.dirname())

print(os.path.dirname("/home/user/example.txt"))  # Output: /home/user

✅ Use Case: Manage file locations in scripts.

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🔹 8️⃣ Listing All Files in a Directory (os.listdir())

print(os.listdir("."))  # Lists all files & folders in the current directory

✅ Use Case: Scan directories for specific files.

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🔹 9️⃣ Creating and Removing Directories

🔹 Create a Directory (os.mkdir())

os.mkdir("new_folder")
print("Directory created!")

🔹 Remove an Empty Directory (os.rmdir())

os.rmdir("new_folder")
print("Directory removed!")

✅ Use Case: Organizing files dynamically.

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🔹 🔟 Removing a Directory with Files (shutil.rmtree())

If a directory contains files, use the shutil module.

import shutil
shutil.rmtree("folder_with_files")
print("Directory and all contents deleted!")

✅ Use Case: Clean up unwanted folders.

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🔹 Summary Table

Function	Purpose
os.path.exists(path)	Check if a file or directory exists.
os.rename(old, new)	Rename a file or directory.
os.remove(path)	Delete a file.
os.path.getsize(path)	Get file size in bytes.
os.path.isfile(path)	Check if a path is a file.
os.path.isdir(path)	Check if a path is a directory.
os.listdir(path)	List files and directories.
os.mkdir(path)	Create a new directory.
os.rmdir(path)	Remove an empty directory.
shutil.rmtree(path)	Delete a directory with all its contents.

Would you like real-world examples, like automating file backups? 🚀