Python os.listdir() Method
Introduction
To retrieve a list of directories and files inside the specified path, Python os.listdir() function is used. The os module is where this method resides. For Python programming jobs involving handling files, it is a vital tool since it provides an easy way to communicate with the operating system.
Syntax
The function os.listdir() has the following syntax:
os.listdir(path)
Python's os. listdir() function requires importing the "os" package. Providing a set of functions for interfacing with the OS, this module is a component of the Python standard library.
Only one parameter is required for the os.listdir() function:
path (str): This parameter lets you indicate where you want to get the directory and file list in the file system. A relative path, which specifies the current working directory, or an absolute path, which starts at the root directory, are the two possible options.
Return Value of Python's os.listdir() Method
The names of the files and folders in the given path are listed in the list that the method returns.
What Is the Process Behind the Python os.listdir() Function?
These procedures illustrate how the os.listdir() function operates:
Path Specifics:
- The file system path is an input that os.listdir() requires.
- A route that is either absolute or relative might be used here.
Interaction with the Operating System:
- An application calls the operating system that supports it with a request using os.listdir().
- A list of all files and folders is requested for the path given.
Recovery at the System Level:
- The operating system finds and opens the designated directory within the file system.
- A list of every item in that directory is then assembled by it.
Creating a List:
- The operating system sends this item list back to the Python program.
Return Estimate:
- As the method's result, os.listdir() then uses this list and returns it.
- The value delivered is the list of Python files and directories in the given path.
- Only the file and directory names are included in the list that os.listdir() produces.
- Additional details like file sizes, creation dates, and file kinds are excluded from it.
Note: As a dependable tool for cross-platform programming, the Python os.listdir() function behaves consistently in Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Examples
Consider a directory named “.ipynb_checkpoints” and a sub directory named “Sub_directory” with a file “Sub file”
Example 1: List the Current Directory's Files and Directories.
import os
#print all entries in current directory
print (os.listdir())
Output:
Explanation: The present working directory is obtained in this example using os.getcwd(), and all files and directories inside that location are listed using os.listdir(). By default, operating systems may have different ordering for the file and directory names that os.listdir() returns.
To list things alphabetically or in a particular order, use the Python sorted() function.
Example 2: List Files in a Particular Directory
import os
# Get the current working directory
current_directory = os.getcwd()
data = os.listdir(current_directory)
print(data)
Output:
Explanation: To obtain the names of the files and subdirectories within a specified directory, in this instance, os.listdir() is utilized.
Example 3: List Files in a Subdirectory
import os
# Define the target subdirectory
target_subdirectory = "/content/target"
data = os.listdir(target_subdirectory)
print(data)
output:
Explanation: With a subdirectory path as input, os.listdir() returns a list of all the files and folders in that particular subfolder.
Example 4: Using Relative Paths
import os
# Navigate to the target directory
os.chdir("/content/target")
data= os.listdir('.')
print(data)
Output:
Explanation: Using os.listdir('.') to list the data, this example first moves the current directory to the target directory. The application of relative pathways is demonstrated here.
Example 5:Using loop
import os
target_directory = "/content/target"
for item in os.listdir(target_directory):
item_path = os.path.join(target_directory, item)
if os.path.isfile(item_path):
print(f"File: {item}")
elif os.path.isdir(item_path):
print(f"Directory: {item}")
Output:
Explanation: This example organizes the contents of a directory and displays the results by looping through the data and determining if each item is a file or directory.
Conclusion
- For listing files and directories in a given path, utilize the Python os.listdir() function from the os module.
- In exchange for the names of the files and folders at the given location, it returns a list with an absolute or relative path as its input.
- The TypeError, PermissionError, and OSError errors are frequently linked to os.listdir().