Find the Path to the Given File using Python

Introduction:

In this tutorial, we are learning about finding a path to the given file using Python. Python users work with data frequently, especially when modifying, reading, or writing data to a file. But before you start working on the data, you need to define the path to the data. Simply put, the path of an archive refers to the system location or directory where files are stored.

We can get the path of the completed .py file from __file__. __file__ is useful for reading other files, it gives the current location of the file being run. It varies from version to version. In the Python 3.8 and earlier, __file__ returns the specified path when running a Python command. If a relative path is specified, we can obtain the relative path. If we teach the clear way, the open way returns. But in Python 3.9 and above, __file__ always returns a path, and the "OS" module provides various utilities.

Method 1: Here we using Path.cwd() for find the path to the given file in Python:

Here, the concept of the Current Working Directory or CWD plays an important role. Think of CWD as the folder where Python runs. If you call a file by name only, Python assumes the file starts in CWD. So, using a name only works if the file is in Python CWD. Path.cwd() function is used to return the current directory.

Program Code:

Here, we give a program code to find the path to the given file in Python using the Path.cwd() function. The code is given below -

Output:

Now, we compile the above code in Python, and after successful compilation, we run it. The output is given below -

The Path of this file is:  C:\Users\USER\Desktop\Javatpoint Python Example

Method 2: Here we using os.getcwd() for find the path to the given file in Python:

We can get the path of the current working directory. Therefore, either a relative path or an exact path is taken, depending on the version used. To get the current function name in Python, use the os.getcwd() method. The Python OS module function returns a string containing the path to the current working directory.

Program Code:

Here, we give a program code to find the path to the given file in Python using the os.getcwd() function. The code is given below -

Output:

Now, we compile the above code in Python, and after successful compilation, we run it. The output is given below -

The Path of the current working directory is:  C:\Users\USER\Desktop\Javatpoint Python Example

Method 3: Here, we use pathlib.Path().absolute() for finding the path to the given file in Python:

The Python OS module function returns a string which containing the path to the current working directory.

Program Code:

Here, we give a program code to find the path to the given file in Python using pathlib.Path().absolute() function. The code is given below -

Output:

Now, we compile the above code in Python, and after successful compilation, we run it. The output is given below -

The Path of the current working directory is:  C:\Users\USER\Desktop\Javatpoint Python Example

Method 4: Here we using os.path.basename for find the path to the given file in Python:

We can get filenames and directory names as follows. The key to understanding __file__ is that the interpreter fixes this at runtime so that when a script uses more than one Python module, it knows which file it is dealing with. The advantage of calling Path(file__) is that it returns a string. This string is containing the path and file currently being processed. You can call __file__ while editing a file. So, if you try to call it from the shell interpreter it will not work. The __file__ has no function in the context of Jupyter Notebook.

Program Code:

Here, we give a program code to find the path to the given file in Python using os.path.basename. The code is given below -

Output:

Now, we compile the above code in Python, and after successful compilation, we run it. The output is given below -

The file name is: pathfind.py
The directory name is: C:\Javatpoint Python Example\path_of_given_file

Method 5: Here we using os.path.abspath for find the path to the given file in Python:

This may sound not very easy, but os.path.abspath() means that it passes the path back to the path whose name is given as an argument to this function. The documentation says that this method causes poor performance of the pathname.

Program Code 1:

Here, we give a program code to find the absolute path to a running file in Python using os.path.abspath. The code is given below -

Output:

Now, we compile the above code in Python, and after successful compilation, we run it. The output is given below -

The absolute path of this file: C:\Javatpoint Python Example\path_of_given_file\ pathfind.py
The absolute directory name is: C:\Javatpoint Python Example\path_of_given_file

Program Code 2:

If we specify an absolute path in os.path.abspath(), it will be returned unchanged, i.e. if __file__ is an absolute path, no error will occur even if we specify os.path.abspath(__file__). Here, we give a program code to find the absolute path to the given file in Python using os.path.abspath. The code is given below -

Output:

Now, we compile the above code in Python, and after successful compilation, we run it. The output is given below -

The absolute path of this file: C:\Javatpoint Python Example\path_of_given_file\ pathfind.py
By using os.walk: C:\Javatpoint Python Example\path_of_given_file\ pathfind.py

Method 6: Here we using Pathlib module for find the path to the given file in Python:

The Pathlib module in Python makes creating path files efficient and effective. An absolute path is a path which contains the full path to the file or directory to be accessed. The path starts from the computer's home directory and ends with the file or directory you want to view.

Program Code:

Here, we give a program code to find the path to the given file in Python using the Pathlib module. The code is given below -

Output:

Now, we compile the above code in Python, and after successful compilation, we run it. The output is given below -

/home/mycomputer/javatpoint/python.txt

Conclusion:

In this tutorial, we are learning about finding a path to the given file using Python. Here, we give various methods along with suitable examples to find the path of a given file in Python.