Python os.path.join on Windows

Michael Zippo

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I am trying to learn python and am making a program that will output a script. I want to use os.path.join, but am pretty confused. According to the docs if I say:

os.path.join("c:", "sourcedir")

I get "C:sourcedir". According to the docs, this is normal, right?

But when I use the copytree command, Python will output it the desired way, for example:

import shutil
src = os.path.join("c:", "src")
dst = os.path.join("c:", "dst")
shutil.copytree(src, dst)

Here is the error code I get:

WindowsError: [Error 3] The system cannot find the path specified: "C:src/*.*"

If I wrap the os.path.join with os.path.normpath I get the same error.

If this os.path.join can"t be used this way, then I am confused as to its purpose.

According to the pages suggested by Stack Overflow, slashes should not be used in join—that is correct, I assume?

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Cornwall Gonzalez

Paris | 2023-03-29

I was preparing for my coding interview, thanks for clarifying this - Python os.path.join on Windows in Python is not the simplest one. Checked yesterday, it works!

Jan Lehnman

New York | 2023-03-29

Thanks for explaining! I was stuck with Python os.path.join on Windows for some hours, finally got it done 🤗. I am just not quite sure it is the best method

Javier Lehnman

New York | 2023-03-29

Maybe there are another answers? What Python os.path.join on Windows exactly means?. Will get back tomorrow with feedback