The Python os.path module is used for the file or directory pathename’s manipulations. The method isfile() of this module is used to check if any file is available or not. Similarly exists() function returns true for files and directory exists.
#1. Python – Check if File Exists
For example, To test how isfile() and exists() functions work. Create a TestFile.py file using following content and execute it python.
- isfile() – function check if given input file exists and is a file not directory.
- exists() – function check if given input file exists. It doesn’t matter its a file or directory.
See the below examples:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 | import os.path print os.path.isfile("/etc/hosts") #True print os.path.isfile("/etc") #False print os.path.isfile("/does/not/exist") #False print os.path.exists("/etc/hosts") #True print os.path.exists("/etc") #True print os.path.exists("/does/not/exist") #False |
Python >= 3.4 users can use object oriented approach to check if file exist or not. we need to import Path from the pathlib module.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 | from pathlib import Path fileName = Path("/etc/hosts") if fileName.is_file(): print ("File exist") else: print ("File not exist") |
#2. Python – Check if File Readable
You can also check if file exists and readable for current users in Python.
1 2 3 4 5 6 | import os.path if os.path.isfile('/etc/hosts') and os.access('/etc/hosts', os.R_OK): print "File exists and is readable" else: print "Either file is missing or is not readable" |
#3. Python – Check if Link File
Use os.path.islink to find if any file is a link file.
1 2 3 4 5 6 | import os.path if os.path.isfile("/etc/hosts") and os.path.islink("/etc/hosts"): print "This is a link file" else: print "This is actual file" |
#4. Python – Create Directory if not Exists
Use os.path.exists to check if any directory exists or not and use os.makedirs to create a directory. Below example will create directory /tmp/newdir if not exists.
1 2 | if not os.path.exists('/tmp/newdir'): os.makedirs('/tmp/newdir') |
5 Comments
Very good and straight forward advise on what should be a simple thing.
Many thanks, Rahul!
Thanks, Rahul for precise and good explanation.
Thanks Rahul..
Thanks