python - os.remove() a file then create a new one but creation date is not updated

Question

I try to overwrite a figure with matplotlib together with os.remove() using below code. Why is the creation date not updated? (I am using Anaconda Prompt)

the code is source from here: Matplotlib Savefig will NOT overwrite old files

some suggest using os.remove(os.path.join(path, del_file)) as here:Python os.remove fails to remove But that didn't work for me.

Is there a way to code up something to update the creation date?

import os
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
#make figure
plt.plot([1,2,3,4])
plt.ylabel('some numbers')

#save
strFile = "./figs/my_plot.jpg"
if os.path.isfile(strFile):
   os.remove(strFile)   # Opt.: os.system("rm "+strFile)
plt.savefig(strFile)

Edits: I am using windows system.

Your code works as you expect in my machine (Linux KDE Neon 5.22, Python 3.8.2). — jfaccioni, Sep 30 '21 at 19:34
The question you linked to is for when the remove fails, but you're not getting that error. — Barmar, Sep 30 '21 at 19:35
Try using the full path to the file. Maybe you're not writing the file you think you are. — Barmar, Sep 30 '21 at 20:27
I'm using python 3.9.12 on win10 and I have the same problem. os.remove() works as expected, when it is run alone (F9, spyder) — Rebecca, Jul 02 '22 at 22:55

score 0 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 09 '22 at 18:09

I am getting the same strange behavior writing to google drive folder on my windows machine. I use os.remove and then using pickle to save file using 'w' (which I can confirm the content changes).

It works if i delete it and put time.sleep(30) after the deletion. I assume the cloud drive is catching up, hopefully this helps you, I am not sure what the time needed for it to catch up, likely far below 30 seconds but 30 should be plenty of time so its a safe bet.

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 02 '22 at 23:15

0

Here is a work around, that worked for me:

https://stackoverflow.com/a/4996407/10571437

with

import time
newtime = time.time()

answered Jul 02 '22 at 23:15

Rebecca

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python - os.remove() a file then create a new one but creation date is not updated

2 Answers2