A file is a resource for storing data and information on computer hardware, to use computer terminology. Hardware stores a file as a collection of bytes. A file is opened in RAM, but it is stored in the hardware because that data is permanently kept in the hardware, which is non-volatile. RAM, on the other hand, is volatile; when the machine is shut down, its data are lost.
File handling in Python is more straight forward and simple than it is in C or C++. Python handles text and binary files differently, and this is crucial. We typically come across two different types of files on a regular basis in our computers. One of them is a text file, while the other is a binary file. By looking at the text file’s name, we may deduce that text must be present in it. The text file has the.txt extension. Even a.doc file that we open in Microsoft Word is a binary file because it needs specialized software to access it, making binary files the majority of all other types of files.
File opening choices in Python: Unlike other programming languages, Python offers its users a wide range of alternatives. There are numerous ways to open files in Python. Seven of them will be covered in this session.
R: R opens a file in read-only mode. In this mode, we are not permitted to alter or modify any data.
W: W mode is unconcerned about the contents of the file. It merely opens a file for writing and overwrites any existing data if any are present.
x:x A new file is made with x. It does not function for a file that is already in existence; in such circumstances, the operation fails.
The word “append” indicates to insert something at the end of a file. It acts in the same manner. In write(w) mode, it just adds the data we want, but it does so by appending it to the end of the file rather than overwriting it. Additionally, it is not permitted to read the file.
Only legitimate text files can be opened using the t mode, which is used to open files in text mode. The file data is handled as a string.
B stands for binary, and in this mode, only binary files that can be read as bytes can be opened. Images, documents, and any other files requiring specialized software to read them are considered binary files.
+: When in plus mode, we can simultaneously read and write to a file. The mode is typically employed when we need to update our file.
