How to change to a new directory that even doesn't exist?

Asked Oct 01 '18 at 05:05

Active Mar 15 '23 at 05:39

Viewed 399 times

In python how to change to a new directory if it does exist or even doesn't exist?

Assuming that the current working directory is '/home' (the python file is also stored there) and I wanna change it to a new directory like '/home/a'. What should I do if there are two possibilities that '/home/a' doesn't exist or does exist?

Here is my attempting code:

import os
current_path=os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath('t.py'))
print(current_path)
os.makedirs('/home/a')
os.chdir('/home/a')
print(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath('t.py')))

And there is the error feedback of my code:

[user@sahara ~]$ python t.py

/home

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "t.py", line 4, in

os.makedirs('/home/a')

File "/usr/lib/python3.7/os.py", line 221, in makedirs

mkdir(name, mode)

FileExistsError: [Errno 17] File exists: '/home/a'

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

asked Oct 01 '18 at 05:05

An Yan

1

First check if the [directory exists](https://stackoverflow.com/a/8933290/6699447). If not create it, Then switch the directory? – Abdul Niyas P M Oct 01 '18 at 05:07
3

No need to check if you'll create it - `os.makedirs('/home/a', exist_ok=True)` – Amadan Oct 01 '18 at 05:08
@a_python_user Exactly, that's what I wanna do – An Yan Oct 01 '18 at 05:09
@Amadan Sorry I don't understand completely your meaning. I wanna create a new one if it doesn't exist. And it exists, just change to it. – An Yan Oct 01 '18 at 05:12
1

`os.makedirs('/home/a', exist_ok=True)` will create it if it doesn't exist (and do nothing if it does). `os.chdir('/home/a')` will change to it. – Amadan Oct 01 '18 at 05:13
@Amadan OK, I got what you mean. But my code is just like what you say, but there are some error feedbacks. – An Yan Oct 01 '18 at 05:16
1

Your code is _not_ just like I say - you do not use `exist_ok` keyword parameter. – Amadan Oct 01 '18 at 05:17
@Amadan Wow, you have solved my problems. Thank you very much!!! But one more question: After doing what you said, the python file is also stored in this new directory? – An Yan Oct 01 '18 at 05:24
1

If you just made a directory, and not saved anything to it, it will be empty. – Amadan Oct 01 '18 at 05:25
@Amadan Is there any method to save original python file in it? – An Yan Oct 01 '18 at 05:28
1

Sure, `shutil.copy2(os.path.abspath(__file__), '/home/a')`. – Amadan Oct 01 '18 at 05:35
@Amadan OK, appreciate for your help! – An Yan Oct 01 '18 at 05:36

How to change to a new directory that even doesn't exist?

0 Answers0