Copy file to a directory using python

Question

I am trying to copy some_file to another directory (say c:).

Here is my code:

import os
filetest = 'c:\\Documents and Settings\\secret\\Desktop\\testToCopy.txt'
tempdir = 'c:\\'
os.system('copy %s %s' % (filetest, tempdir))

But for some strange reason I always get this answer in response:

The system cannot find the file specified.

I suggest removing that os call and using shutil.copy(src, dst) instead. You'll need a import shutil. Doc link — pie3636
– pie3636, Commented Jul 30, 2016 at 23:04
Usually arguments containing spaces must be double-quoted. Anyway, you should use shutil interface as suggested by @pie3636 — pah
– pah, Commented Jul 30, 2016 at 23:06

pah · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-30 23:09:06Z

1

As discussed in the comments, you should quote the copy arguments as they may [and in this case do] contain spaces:

os.system('copy "%s" "%s"' % (filetest, tempdir))

As pointed by @pie3636, you should consider using the shutil.copy for that purpose.

answered Jul 30, 2016 at 23:09

pah

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