How do i change the location directory of python open document?

Question

i was just wondering how i can change the location/directory that python uses to navigate and open files.

I am a super noob so please use small words if you help me, and if you do, thanks.

In case it matter, i use two mass storage devices one is located under the A:\ and the other using the default C:. From memory i installed python under the A drive even though i know some parts are under the C drive. I also believe that i have set my mass storage devices up in AHCI or IDE.

Example Code:

File_Test = open("Test.txt", "r")

This then produces the error:

Traceback (most recent call last): File "", line 1, in File_Test = open("Test.txt", "r") IOError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'Test.txt'"

Which from what i understand is python can't find the directory under which thise file is located.

I would really like to know how to make python locate files in my specified directory. If you can help i would be very appreciative, thanks.

Sukrit Kalra · Accepted Answer · 2014-06-06T13:12:22.963

3

Use the os.chdir() function.

>>> import os
>>> os.getcwd()
'/home/username'
>>> os.chdir(r'/home/username/Downloads')
>>> os.getcwd()
'/home/username/Downloads'

You can get the current working directory using the os.getcwd function. The os.chdir function changes the current working directory to some other directory that you specify. (one which contains your file) and then you can open the file using a normal open(fileName, 'r') call.

edited Jun 06 '14 at 13:12

answered Jun 06 '14 at 13:03

Sukrit Kalra

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Thankyou so, so, so much. I owe you big time and you helped so fast, thankyou :) – 1AntonyAwesome1 Jun 06 '14 at 13:10
I didn't downvote, but I think the answer was too terse. An explanation of what `os.chdir` does and why it is necessary would be useful. – chepner Jun 06 '14 at 13:10
@chepner: Thanks. Added some explanation. – Sukrit Kalra Jun 06 '14 at 13:12

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 06 '14 at 13:09

More precisely, the problem is that there is no file "Test.txt" in the directory Python considers its current working directory. You can see which directory that is by calling os.getcwd. There are two solutions.

First, you can change Python's working directory by calling os.chdir to be the directory where your file lives. (This is what Sukrit's answer alludes to.)

import os
# Assuming file is at C:\some\dir\Test.txt
os.chdir("C:\some\dir")
file_test = open("Test.txt", "r")

Second, you can simply pass the full, absolute path name to open:

file_test = open("C:\some\dir\Test.txt")

Thanks mate, you have helped me understand Sukrits answer a bit more. For instance the os.getcwd, the "cwd" in that function is, if i am correct the initials standing for current working directory. Thankyou for making sense of his answer and providing more help :) — 1AntonyAwesome1, Jun 10 '14 at 06:15

How do i change the location directory of python open document?

2 Answers2