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I have the following code:
import re
#open the xml file for reading:
file = open("path/test.xml","r+")
#convert to string:
data = file.read()
file.write(re.sub(r"<string>ABC</string>(s+)<string>(.*)</string>",r"<xyz>ABC</xyz>1<xyz>2</xyz>",data))
file.close()
where I"d like to replace the old content that"s in the file with the new content. However, when I execute my code, the file "test.xml" is appended, i.e. I have the old content follwed by the new "replaced" content. What can I do in order to delete the old stuff and only keep the new?
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Replace and overwrite instead of appending __del__: Questions
How can I make a time delay in Python?
5 answers
I would like to know how to put a time delay in a Python script.
Answer #1
import time
time.sleep(5) # Delays for 5 seconds. You can also use a float value.
Here is another example where something is run approximately once a minute:
import time
while True:
print("This prints once a minute.")
time.sleep(60) # Delay for 1 minute (60 seconds).
Answer #2
You can use the sleep() function in the time module. It can take a float argument for sub-second resolution.
from time import sleep
sleep(0.1) # Time in seconds
Replace and overwrite instead of appending __del__: Questions
How to delete a file or folder in Python?
5 answers
How do I delete a file or folder in Python?
Answer #1
os.remove()removes a file.os.rmdir()removes an empty directory.shutil.rmtree()deletes a directory and all its contents.
Path objects from the Python 3.4+ pathlib module also expose these instance methods:
pathlib.Path.unlink()removes a file or symbolic link.pathlib.Path.rmdir()removes an empty directory.
Answer #2
os.remove()removes a file.os.rmdir()removes an empty directory.shutil.rmtree()deletes a directory and all its contents.
Path objects from the Python 3.4+ pathlib module also expose these instance methods:
pathlib.Path.unlink()removes a file or symbolic link.pathlib.Path.rmdir()removes an empty directory.
Answer #3
Python syntax to delete a file
import os
os.remove("/tmp/<file_name>.txt")
Or
import os
os.unlink("/tmp/<file_name>.txt")
Or
pathlib Library for Python version >= 3.4
file_to_rem = pathlib.Path("/tmp/<file_name>.txt")
file_to_rem.unlink()
Path.unlink(missing_ok=False)
Unlink method used to remove the file or the symbolik link.
If missing_ok is false (the default), FileNotFoundError is raised if the path does not exist.
If missing_ok is true, FileNotFoundError exceptions will be ignored (same behavior as the POSIX rm -f command).
Changed in version 3.8: The missing_ok parameter was added.
Best practice
- First, check whether the file or folder exists or not then only delete that file. This can be achieved in two ways :
a.os.path.isfile("/path/to/file")
b. Useexception handling.
EXAMPLE for os.path.isfile
#!/usr/bin/python
import os
myfile="/tmp/foo.txt"
## If file exists, delete it ##
if os.path.isfile(myfile):
os.remove(myfile)
else: ## Show an error ##
print("Error: %s file not found" % myfile)
Exception Handling
#!/usr/bin/python
import os
## Get input ##
myfile= raw_input("Enter file name to delete: ")
## Try to delete the file ##
try:
os.remove(myfile)
except OSError as e: ## if failed, report it back to the user ##
print ("Error: %s - %s." % (e.filename, e.strerror))
RESPECTIVE OUTPUT
Enter file name to delete : demo.txt Error: demo.txt - No such file or directory. Enter file name to delete : rrr.txt Error: rrr.txt - Operation not permitted. Enter file name to delete : foo.txt
Python syntax to delete a folder
shutil.rmtree()
Example for shutil.rmtree()
#!/usr/bin/python
import os
import sys
import shutil
# Get directory name
mydir= raw_input("Enter directory name: ")
## Try to remove tree; if failed show an error using try...except on screen
try:
shutil.rmtree(mydir)
except OSError as e:
print ("Error: %s - %s." % (e.filename, e.strerror))
Is there a simple way to delete a list element by value?
5 answers
I want to remove a value from a list if it exists in the list (which it may not).
a = [1, 2, 3, 4]
b = a.index(6)
del a[b]
print(a)
The above case (in which it does not exist) shows the following error:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "D:zjm_codea.py", line 6, in <module>
b = a.index(6)
ValueError: list.index(x): x not in list
So I have to do this:
a = [1, 2, 3, 4]
try:
b = a.index(6)
del a[b]
except:
pass
print(a)
But is there not a simpler way to do this?
Answer #1
To remove an element"s first occurrence in a list, simply use list.remove:
>>> a = ["a", "b", "c", "d"]
>>> a.remove("b")
>>> print(a)
["a", "c", "d"]
Mind that it does not remove all occurrences of your element. Use a list comprehension for that.
>>> a = [10, 20, 30, 40, 20, 30, 40, 20, 70, 20]
>>> a = [x for x in a if x != 20]
>>> print(a)
[10, 30, 40, 30, 40, 70]
We hope this article has helped you to resolve the problem. Apart from Replace and overwrite instead of appending, check other __del__-related topics.
Want to excel in Python? See our review of the best Python online courses 2023. If you are interested in Data Science, check also how to learn programming in R.
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Massachussetts | 2023-04-01
test Python module is always a bit confusing 😭 Replace and overwrite instead of appending is not the only problem I encountered. I am just not quite sure it is the best method
Paris | 2023-04-01
Simply put and clear. Thank you for sharing. Replace and overwrite instead of appending and other issues with string Python module was always my weak point 😁. Will use it in my bachelor thesis
Prague | 2023-04-01
Simply put and clear. Thank you for sharing. Replace and overwrite instead of appending and other issues with __del__ was always my weak point 😁. Will get back tomorrow with feedback
