Python : OS Module Introduction

OS module

• in order to import OS module we use

import os

• To print all the available options in a method/function

import os

print(dir(os))

• to print Current working directory we use

import os

print(os.getcwd())

• to print directory location we use

import os
path='/home/user/'

# printing path before changing directory
print(os.getcwd())

# function used for changing directory
os.chdir(path)

# printing path after changing directory
print(os.getcwd())

# to list directories
print(os.listdir())

• To make a single directory without any intermediate directories <!-- make directory -->

import os

# this wont create intermediate directories
os.makedir('single_dir')

print(os.listdir())

• To make a multiple directories with intermediate directories <!-- make chain of directories -->

import os

# this will create intermediate directories
os.makedirs('parent_dir/child_dir')

print(os.listdir())

• To remove a single directory <!-- remove Single Directory -->

import os

# this wont remove intermediate directories
os.rmdir('path')

print(os.listdir())

• To remove a multiple directory <!-- remove Multiple directory -->

import os

# this will remove intermediate directories
os.removedirs('path1/path2')

print(os.listdir())

• To rename a directory <!-- Renaming a Directory -->

import os

# this will remove intermediate directories
os.rename('old-name','new-name')

print(os.listdir())

• To print information about OS, we use os.stat() function <!-- Print details about directory -->

import os
import datetime from datetime

# this will remove intermediate directories
print(os.stat('file-name'))

# Example : to print when file was created 
file_created = os.stat('file-name').st_mtime
print(datetime.fromtimestamp(file_created))

• To list information about directories & Subdirectories <!-- Navigating Directories and Subdirectories -->

import os

path = os.chdir('path')

# Example : to print all the files under that above path 
for dirpath, dirname, filename in os.walk():
    print('Current Path:',dirpath)
    print('Directories:',dirname)
    print('filename:',filename)
    print()

• To print Environment variables <!-- printing Environment Variables -->

import os

# to print Environment variable home
print(os.environ.get('HOME'))

• To interact with path we use os.path module

• Examples of path module
  

import os 

# to check if given path exists or not 
print(os.path.exists('/home/user1/text.txt'))

# to check if given path is a directory or file
print(os.path.isdir('/home/user2/demo'))
print(os.path.isfilek('/home/user2/demo'))

# to split filname name from extenstion we use
print(os.path.splitext('/home/demo1/book.txt'))

# to print basename of any file we use
print(os.path.basename('/home/demo1/book.txt'))
# to print the directory name we use
print(os.path.dirname('/home/demo1/book.txt'))
# to print both, dirname + basename we use
print(os.path.split('/home/demo1/book.txt'))

# to join paths we use
file_path = os.path.join(os.environ.get('HOME'),'test.txt')
print(file_path)