List directories python OSX

Question

I am having an issue with trying to list all of the files/folders within a directory with Python 2.6, on Mac OS X.

To simplify the problem, I am attempting to simply list all the files on my desktop (which is not empty). I understand this can be done like this:

currentFileList = os.listdir("~/Desktop")

But I am getting the error:

currentFileList = os.listdir("~/Desktop")
OSError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: '~/Desktop'

Any suggestions?

Can't believe I didn't figure that out before - thanks! – David Ferris May 15 '15 at 17:40 — David Ferris, May 15 '15 at 17:40

Daniil Ryzhkov · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-15T17:44:29.080

8

You should pass absolute pass to os.listdir function. You can use os.expanduser function to expand ~:

os.listdir(os.path.expanduser('~/Desktop'))

By the way. Be careful: ~foobar will replace the path with home folder for user foobar (e.g. /home/foobar)

edited May 15 '15 at 17:44

answered May 15 '15 at 17:39

Daniil Ryzhkov

2

`os.path.expanduser('~/Desktop')` is neater, and only uses one type of quote! – jonrsharpe May 15 '15 at 17:40
@jonrsharpe thank you. Improved my answer with your suggestion! – Daniil Ryzhkov May 15 '15 at 17:45

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered May 15 '15 at 17:39

0

You need the full path not relative

os.listdir('/Users/YOURUSERNAME/Desktop')

answered May 15 '15 at 17:39

heinst

2 Answers2