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Questions and Answers
Which function in Python is used to open a file?
Which function in Python is used to open a file?
Which mode is used to write data to a file in Python?
Which mode is used to write data to a file in Python?
Which function is used to read the entire contents of a file in Python?
Which function is used to read the entire contents of a file in Python?
Which function is used to write multiple lines to a file in Python?
Which function is used to write multiple lines to a file in Python?
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Which function is used to move the cursor (position) inside a file in Python?
Which function is used to move the cursor (position) inside a file in Python?
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What is the purpose of the close() function in Python file handling?
What is the purpose of the close() function in Python file handling?
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What is the primary purpose of using binary files in Python?
What is the primary purpose of using binary files in Python?
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What is the purpose of the 'b' flag when opening a file in Python?
What is the purpose of the 'b' flag when opening a file in Python?
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What is the purpose of the pickle module in Python?
What is the purpose of the pickle module in Python?
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What is the main difference between reading data from a text file and a binary file in Python?
What is the main difference between reading data from a text file and a binary file in Python?
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What is the primary purpose of using the csv module in Python?
What is the primary purpose of using the csv module in Python?
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Which of the following is the correct way to write data to a binary file in Python?
Which of the following is the correct way to write data to a binary file in Python?
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Study Notes
File Handling in Python
File handling refers to the operation performed on storing and retrieving data in various forms into files. It helps manage information effectively for further processing. Python offers several built-in functions to handle different types of files like Text, Binary, and CSV files. This article focuses on understanding file handling in Python within the context of the Computer Science curriculum for Class 12.
Text File Operations
A text file is used to store plain text data. Python provides several functions to perform operations on text files:
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open(): This function opens a text file with specific mode options for writing ('w'), appending ('a'), reading ('r'), etc.
f = open('example.txt', 'w')
f.write('Hello World!') # Writing to the file
f.close()
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read(),readline(),readlines(): These functions allow you to read the contents of a text file.
f = open('example.txt', 'r')
print(f.read())
print(f.readline())
print(f.readlines())
f.close()
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write(),writelines(): These functions are used to write data after opening the file in write mode.
f = open('example.txt', 'w')
f.write('Hello World!') # Writing to the file
f.write('\nWelcome!')
f.writelines(['Line1\n', 'Line2\n'])
f.close()
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seek(),tell(): These functions help move the cursor (position) inside the file.
f = open('example.txt', 'r')
f.seek(0)
print(f.tell())
f.close()
Binary File Operations
Binary files are used when the data needs to be stored in a particular format. The main difference between text and binary files lies in how the data is stored and accessed. Python provides similar functions for binary file operations as text files. However, the 'b' flag is added to specify binary mode.
f = open('example.bin', 'wb')
f.write(b'Hello World!') # Writing to the file
f.close()
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import pickle: Pickle is a module in Python which allows data to be serialized into bytes and vice versa. It is often used for saving complex Python objects in a file.
import pickle
data = {'Name': 'John', 'Age': 24}
f = open('example.dat', 'wb')
pickle.dump(data, f) # Serializing data to a file
f.close()
To read binary data, read(), readline(), readlines() are replaced with read().
CSV File Operations
CSV (Comma Separated Values) files are commonly used for storing data with columns separated by commas or other delimiters. Python provides functions to read and write CSV files using the built-in csv module.
import csv
data = {'Name': 'John', 'Age': 24}
f = open('example.csv', 'w')
writer = csv.DictWriter(f, fieldnames=['Name', 'Age'])
writer.writeheader() # Writing header
writer.writerow(data) # Writing data
writer.close()
To read CSV data, similar operations can be performed on the same file handle.
In conclusion, Python offers comprehensive support for handling different types of files through its built-in modules. This flexibility makes it an ideal choice for various applications requiring efficient data storage and retrieval.
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Description
Learn about file handling in Python and the different operations you can perform on text, binary, and CSV files. Explore functions like open(), read(), write(), seek(), and understand how to work with different file formats. This article is designed for Class 12 students studying Computer Science.
