Reading text files is an important skill in Python. It allows you to work with stored data such as reports, logs, configurations, and datasets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Python provides built-in functions to open and read files easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To read a file, use the \u2022 After opening the file, you can read its content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using This is the recommended way to handle files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 \u2022 Always close the file (or use \u2022 Used in data analysis Understanding how to read text files is essential for working with external data in Python.<\/p>\n\n\nopen()<\/code> function.<\/p>\n\n\n\nfile = open(\"example.txt\", \"r\")<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
\"example.txt\"<\/code> \u2192 File name
\u2022 \"r\"<\/code> \u2192 Read mode<\/p>\n\n\n\nREADING FILE CONTENT<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
1. read() \u2013 Reads the entire file<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
file = open(\"example.txt\", \"r\")
content = file.read()
print(content)
file.close()<\/pre>\n\n\n\n2. readline() \u2013 Reads one line at a time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
file = open(\"example.txt\", \"r\")
line = file.readline()
print(line)
file.close()<\/pre>\n\n\n\n3. readlines() \u2013 Reads all lines into a list<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
file = open(\"example.txt\", \"r\")
lines = file.readlines()
print(lines)
file.close()<\/pre>\n\n\n\nUSING WITH STATEMENT (BEST PRACTICE)<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
with<\/code> automatically closes the file after use.<\/p>\n\n\n\nwith open(\"example.txt\", \"r\") as file:
content = file.read()
print(content)<\/pre>\n\n\n\nREADING FILE LINE BY LINE<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
with open(\"example.txt\", \"r\") as file:
for line in file:
print(line.strip())<\/pre>\n\n\n\n.strip()<\/code> removes extra spaces or newline characters.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFILE MODES<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\"r\"<\/code> \u2192 Read (default)
\u2022 \"w\"<\/code> \u2192 Write (overwrites file)
\u2022 \"a\"<\/code> \u2192 Append
\u2022 \"x\"<\/code> \u2192 Create new file<\/p>\n\n\n\nHANDLING FILE NOT FOUND ERROR<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
try:
with open(\"example.txt\", \"r\") as file:
print(file.read())
except FileNotFoundError:
print(\"File not found.\")<\/pre>\n\n\n\nIMPORTANT POINTS<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
with<\/code>)
\u2022 Use try-except to handle errors
\u2022 Read large files line by line to save memory<\/p>\n\n\n\nWHY FILE READING IS IMPORTANT<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Used in report generation
\u2022 Important for automation
\u2022 Required in real-world applications<\/p>\n\n\n\n