When writing a file do we create a new file?

Question

Let's say I'm using these codes to write something to a file.

with open('somefile.txt', 'a') as the_file:
    the_file.write('Hello\n')

In this case, must 'somefile.txt' be an existing file or a file that we just created by writing a 'hello' message?

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 23 '20 at 09:17

1

As mentioned here :

To create a new file in Python, use the open() method, with one of the following parameters:

"x" - Create - will create a file, returns an error if the file exist

"a" - Append - will create a file if the specified file does not exist

"w" - Write - will create a file if the specified file does not exist

So in your case, using open('somefile.txt', 'a') with a as a second parameter, you are creating a file if not exists.

answered Dec 23 '20 at 09:17

Hamza Abdaoui

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So if I were to create a file I could use 'w' as the second parameter right? – Atilla Colak Dec 23 '20 at 09:20
using `x`, `a` or `w`, in all these cases, you'll create a file ** if the specified file does not exist** – Hamza Abdaoui Dec 23 '20 at 09:24
1

'w' will over-write if the `somefile.txt` already exists – Naveen Dec 23 '20 at 09:25

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Dec 23 '20 at 09:48

0

When you are using "with open", it will open the file if it is already present in the folder and if is not present in the folder it will create a new file in that folder where you are running this file.

edited Dec 23 '20 at 09:48

tripleee

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answered Dec 23 '20 at 09:29

Hamza Chaudhary

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When writing a file do we create a new file?

2 Answers2