Files and Databases
The final built-in object type of Python allows us to access files. Files in Python are different from the previous types I've covered. They aren't numbers, sequences, or mappings; they only export methods for common file processing. Technically, the file is a pre-built C extension that provides a wrapper for the C stdio.h (standard input/output) library header. If you already know how to use files in other languages, there isn't much difference in Python.
Files are a way to save data permanently. Apart from a few program listings, nearly everything demonstrated so far is resident only in memory; as soon as you close down Python or turn off your computer, it goes away. You would have to retype everything over if you wanted ...
Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.
Read now
Unlock full access