Intro to Python Programming

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Mode

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Intro to Python Programming

Definition

Mode specifies how a file should be opened when performing read or write operations in Python. Common modes include 'r' for reading, 'w' for writing, and 'a' for appending.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The mode 'w' will truncate the file to zero length if it already exists, otherwise, it creates a new file.
  2. Using mode 'a' will append data to the end of the file without truncating it.
  3. 'r+' allows both reading and writing but requires that the file already exists.
  4. 'b' can be added to any mode (e.g., 'wb', 'rb') to indicate binary mode, which is necessary for non-text files.
  5. Using context managers with the 'with' statement ensures proper handling of files and automatic closing.

Review Questions

  • What happens when you open a file in 'w' mode that already exists?
  • How do you open a file for both reading and writing?
  • Why would you use the binary mode (e.g., 'wb') instead of text mode?

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