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Python open() Function

❮ Built-in Functions

Example

Open a file and print the content:

f = open("demofile.txt", "r")
print(f.read())
Try it Yourself »

Definition and Usage

The open() function opens a file, and returns it as a file object.

Read more about file handling in our chapters about File Handling.

Syntax

open(file, mode)

Parameter Values

Parameter Description
file The path and name of the file
mode A string, define which mode you want to open the file in:

"r" - Read - Default value. Opens a file for reading, error if the file does not exist

"a" - Append - Opens a file for appending, creates the file if it does not exist

"w" - Write - Opens a file for writing, creates the file if it does not exist

"x" - Create - Creates the specified file, returns an error if the file exist

In addition you can specify if the file should be handled as binary or text mode

"t" - Text - Default value. Text mode

"b" - Binary - Binary mode (e.g. images)

Related Pages

Learn how to open files in our Read Files Tutorial

Learn how to write/create files in our Write/Create Files Tutorial

Learn how to delete files in our Delete Files Tutorial

❮ Built-in Functions