Python os module

Hello guys. Welcome to another session on this platform. In this article of today we are going look at python OS. For better understanding, do checkout our YouTube channel for the video tutorials.

In this article, we are going to discuss the following:

• What is a python OS module?
• Some of the different functions under python os module

What is a python OS module?

We already have a basic knowledge of what a module is. In that light, a python os module provides an easy way for a user to interact with the operating system. This interaction takes place through the use of OS functions. These functions perform os-based task and get some information about the operating system.  

We need to import the os module before working with it.

import OS

Some of the functions in an os module

OS.name(). 

This function returns the name of the operating system as its output

Presently it registers the following names of operating system: 'posix', 'nt', 'os2', 'ce', 'java' and 'riscos'.

Example

import os   
print(os.name)

OUTPUT

os.getcwd()

It returns the current working directory or path of your operating system

Example

Import os 
(os.getcwd())

OUTPUT

os.chdir()

we used this function to change the current working directory

Example

Import os
Print((os.chdir("Z:\\"))

It changes the directory path from the current one to the specified path

os.error()

This function is used to detect os level errors. This is in the case of an invalid or inaccessible file name or path.

Example

>>> import os
>>> try:  
        # If file does not exist,  
        # then it throw an IOError  
        filename = 'trycoder.txt'  
        f = open(filename, 8)  
        text = f.read()  
        f.close()  
      
    # The Control jumps directly to here if  
    # any lines throws IOError.  
except IOError:  
      
        # print(os.error) will   
 print('Problem reading: ' + filename)

OUTPUT

 os.access()

we use this function to check if a user has access to a directory path. It does this by using the uid/gid.

Example

>>> import os
>>> import sys
>>> path1 = os.access("trycoder.txt", os.F_OK)
>>> print("Exist path:", path1)
# checking access with os. R_OK
>>> path2 = os.access("python.txt", os.R_OK)
>>> print("it access to write the file:",path2)
>>> #checking access with os.W_OK
>>> path3 = os.access("trycoder.txt",os.W_OK)
>>> print("it access to write the file:", path3)
>>> #checking access with os. X_OK
>>> path4 = os.access("python.txt", os.X_OK)
>>> print("check if path can be executed:", path4)

Below is the different output for each directory path

OUTPUT

os.mkdir()

we use this function to a create a new directory path. That is, we create a new folder path

Example

>>> import os
>>> os.mkdir("Z:\\trycoder")

The output is a folder called trycoder which is saved under drive named Z.

OUTPUT

os.rename()

this function is used to rename a file or a directory path. 

Note that this is not always possible. But If a user is privilege, the user can rename a folder or a file. 

Example

>>> import os
>>> fd = "trycoder"
>>> os.rename(fd,'trycoder')

OUTPUT

This is the case where the file or folder cannot be located in the local disk.

There are many other functions in the python os module. Each function has its own use. We have come to the end of this session, hope this article was very interesting. Happy coding guys.