Python All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 1

Working with External Files

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding text and binary files

Opening and closing files

Reading a file's contents

Looping through a file

Reading and copying binary files

Conquering with CSV files

From CSV to dictionaries and objects

Pretty much everything that’s stored in your computer, be it a document, program, movie, photograph … whatever, is stored in a file. Most files are organized info folders (also called directories). On a Mac you can use Finder to browse around through folders and files. In Windows you use File Explorer or Windows Explorer (but not Internet Explorer) to browse around through folders and files.

Python offers many tools for creating, reading from, and writing to many different kinds of files. In this chapter, you learn all the most ...