Python - Rename specific file

Question

I need to be able to rename a file, continually increasing the number at the end of the file, without deleting a previous version of it. The original thought process was

file_path1 = "path/to/file/OLDqueues.sqlite"

try:
    os.remove(file_path1)
except OSError as e:
    print("Error: %s : %s" % (file_path1, e.strerror))

try:
   os.rename(r'path\to\file\queues.sqlite', r'path\to\file\OLDqueues.sqlite')
except OSError as e:
    print("Error: %s : %s" % (file_path1, e.strerror))

However, I've been told that we cannot delete the OLDqueues file in this process. What would be the best way to rename the file to OLDqueues, but if OLDqueues already exists- it will auto-rename to OLDqueues(1), then OLDqueues(2), etc?

For reference, I am using Python 3.7, and this will be applied to two files in different locations, but must not affect any other files in the directory.

The best way would be to check if OLDqueues already exists and if so, check if OLDqueues(1) exists, etc., until you find a filename that doesn't exist yet, and then to use that filename. — mkrieger1, Jun 02 '21 at 17:34
If this is all in the same thread, a local variable could be used as a cache, otherwise a loop using a glob of 'OLDqueues' and increment for each existing file with the name until done and then rename with the increment +=1 — pypalms, Jun 02 '21 at 17:36
Does this answer your question? [How do I create a file in python without overwriting an existing file](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1348026/how-do-i-create-a-file-in-python-without-overwriting-an-existing-file) — mkrieger1, Jun 02 '21 at 17:36

score 1 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 02 '21 at 18:04

If you don't want to remove the old file, just save incremental versions, I am not sure why you are trying to delete that file?

This is the way I have implemented this in the past:

if os.path.exists(file_path1):
    file_path2 = ## insert file name increment logic here
    # copy file as described in the link below using shutil

https://stackabuse.com/how-to-copy-a-file-in-python

Python - Rename specific file

1 Answers1