Python File Handling Basics
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Questions and Answers

What are the three main types of data files that Python can handle?

  • Text file, Audio file, CSV file
  • Text file, Image file, CSV file
  • Text file, Binary file, CSV file (correct)
  • Text file, XML file, JSON file

    • Which method is used to read a single line from a text file in Python?

  • read()
  • readlines()
  • readline() (correct)
  • get_line()

    • What does the read() method return when reading a text file?

  • The read bytes as a string (correct)
  • A list of individual lines
  • A file object
  • An integer count of bytes

    • How are fields separated in a CSV file?

    <p>By comma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding binary files?

    <p>They are capable of handling large files.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which method should be used to read all lines from a text file and return them in a list?

    <p>readlines()</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What character terminates each line in a text file?

    <p>End of Line (EOL)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a unique feature of CSV files compared to binary files?

    <p>They consist of plain text with a delimiter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Binary files are processed byte by ______.

    <p>byte</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The extension of ______ary files includes formats like [.blank], .dat etc.

    <p>bin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    To work with CSV files in Python, one must import the ______ module.

    <p>csv</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A CSV file is a plain text file that contains ______-separated data.

    <p>comma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Python, the method used to write a single row in a CSV file is called ______ row().

    <p>writerow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Using the ______ statement, you don’t have to manually close a file in Python.

    <p>with</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The method ______() returns an object used for converting user data into delimited strings.

    <p>writer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    CSV files are often created by programs that handle huge amounts of ______.

    <p>data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    File Basics

    • A file is a sequence of bytes stored on disk/permanent storage for related data.
    • File handling in Python supports file creation, updating, reading, and deletion.

    File Handling Process

    • Steps include:
      • Opening a file.
      • Performing operations (reading or writing).
      • Closing the file.

    Types of Files in Python

    • Python supports three primary types of data files:
      • Text files
      • Binary files
      • CSV files

    Text Files

    • Comprise ASCII or Unicode characters formatted as a sequence of lines.
    • Each line ends with an End of Line (EOL) special character.
    • Can be created using any text editor (e.g., Myfile.txt).

    Binary Files

    • Store data in the same format it is maintained in memory.
    • Common examples include .exe, .mp3, image files, and Word documents.
    • Cannot be read with a standard text editor.

    CSV Files

    • CSV (Comma Separated Values) format organizes data in a tabular structure.
    • Each record is on a new line, with fields separated by commas.
    • Easily read by text editors and spreadsheet software.

    Comparison of File Types

    • Binary Files
      • Efficient for large files.
      • Contains data patterns without delimiters.
    • CSV Files
      • Common and platform-independent format.
      • Uses plain text with delimiters, readable by text editors.
      • Ends each line automatically when delimiter is absent.

    Reading from Files

    • Methods to read data from text files include:
      • read(): Reads specified bytes or entire file as a string.
      • readline(): Reads a single line as a string; can limit bytes read.
      • readlines(): Retrieves all lines as a list of string elements.
    • Note: ‘\n’ is treated as a two-byte special character.

    Writing to Text Files

    • write(): Writes content to a file without adding extra characters.
    • writelines(): Writes a list of lines to a file.

    Binary Files

    • Binary files store data in a non-text format, represented as sequences of 1s and 0s.
    • Data in binary files is processed byte by byte; they don't have delimiters or end-of-line (EOL) characters.
    • These files do not undergo conversions like text files, making them more efficient.
    • Binary files are faster to process and require less memory than text files.
    • Common extensions for binary files include .bin, .dat, etc.
    • The pickle module in Python provides dump and load functions for handling binary files.
    • When opening binary files in Python, 'b' must be included in the mode (e.g., 'rb' for reading).

    Using the with Statement in Python

    • The with statement simplifies file handling by automatically closing files after the block execution.
    • Syntax: with open(file_name, access_mode) as file_object:
    • It combines file opening, processing, and built-in exception handling.
    • Example: with open(“myfile.txt”, “r+”) as myObject: content = myObject.read()

    CSV Files

    • A Comma Separated Values (CSV) file is a plain text file that organizes data with commas, facilitating data exchange between applications.
    • Commonly utilized for managing large data sets, CSV files can be generated by software such as spreadsheets (e.g., Excel) and databases (e.g., Oracle, MySQL).
    • CSV files allow easy import and export of data for storage or analysis.

    CSV File Structure

    • A sample CSV file format may look like: 
      Name, DOB, City
Ram, 12-Jul-2001, Delhi
Mohan, 23-Jan-2005, Delhi

    Python CSV Module

    • The CSV module is part of Python's Standard Library, enabling reading and writing of CSV formatted data.
    • To use, the CSV module must first be imported: import csv.
    • Key methods in the CSV module include:
      • writer(): Creates a writer object to convert user data into delimited strings.
      • reader(): Reads data from a CSV file.
    • The Writer object includes additional methods such as:
      • writerow(): Writes a single row of data.
      • writerows(): Writes multiple rows of data.

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    Description

    This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of file handling in Python, including the types of files, operations performed on them, and the steps involved in file processing. Enhance your understanding of how to create, read, update, and delete files using Python programming techniques.

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