Python OSError: [Errno 22] Invalid argument

Question

I am trying, in Python 3, to append some data to a file, like this:

prueba = open(streamingResultFile, "a")

... when I previously declare:

streamingResultFile = time.asctime().replace('  ', ' ').replace(' ', '_') + '.txt'

... to get a file whose name will be the current time and date, in this format:

Tue_Apr_4_03:08:55_2017.txt

But I run it, and I get the message in the title complaining about the name of my file not being correct. But if I put something else, like "hello.txt" it works. Why can't I put that text as the name of my output file?

What operating system are you running, and what kind of filesystem are you trying to write to? Please [edit] your question to include these details (as well as what Paul Back has asked for), and add tags for your OS and filesystem. — Kevin J. Chase, Apr 04 '17 at 03:26

score 3 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:32

3

Check the allowed filename characters for your operating system.

For example, characters like \, :, >, ... are not allowed in Windows filenames.

See What characters are forbidden in Windows and Linux directory names? for details on forbidden characters in Windows/Linux filenames.

Regarding your specific problem: Replacing the colons : with other characters should solve the error.

edited May 23 '17 at 12:32

Community

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answered Apr 04 '17 at 01:15

Felix

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Yes, I was so busy in the other parts of the program that I didn' t realize the semicolons were the problem. Thanks for pointing out – David F. Apr 04 '17 at 09:19

Python OSError: [Errno 22] Invalid argument

1 Answers1