what does the __file__ variable mean/do?

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import os

A = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), "..")

B = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))

C = os.path.abspath(os.path.dirname(__file__))

I usually just hard-wire these with the actual path. But there is a reason for these statements that determine path at runtime, and I would really like to understand the os.path module so that I can start using it.

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os.path.dirname(__file__) returns empty

2 answers

I want to get the path of the current directory under which a .py file is executed.

For example a simple file D: est.py with code:

import os

print os.getcwd()
print os.path.basename(__file__)
print os.path.abspath(__file__)
print os.path.dirname(__file__)

It is weird that the output is:

D:
test.py
D:	est.py
EMPTY

I am expecting the same results from the getcwd() and path.dirname().

Given os.path.abspath = os.path.dirname + os.path.basename, why

os.path.dirname(__file__)

returns empty?

174

Answer #1

Because os.path.abspath = os.path.dirname + os.path.basename does not hold. we rather have

os.path.dirname(filename) + os.path.basename(filename) == filename

Both dirname() and basename() only split the passed filename into components without taking into account the current directory. If you want to also consider the current directory, you have to do so explicitly.

To get the dirname of the absolute path, use

os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))

What is the difference between os.path.basename() and os.path.dirname()?

2 answers

What is the difference between os.path.basename() and os.path.dirname()?

I already searched for answers and read some links, but didn"t understand. Can anyone give a simple explanation?

158

Answer #1

Both functions use the os.path.split(path) function to split the pathname path into a pair; (head, tail).

The os.path.dirname(path) function returns the head of the path.

E.g.: The dirname of "/foo/bar/item" is "/foo/bar".

The os.path.basename(path) function returns the tail of the path.

E.g.: The basename of "/foo/bar/item" returns "item"

From: http://docs.python.org/3/library/os.path.html#os.path.basename

We hope this article has helped you to resolve the problem. Apart from what does the __file__ variable mean/do?, check other code Python module-related topics.

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Schneider Innsbruck

Paris | 2023-04-01

Thanks for explaining! I was stuck with what does the __file__ variable mean/do? for some hours, finally got it done 🤗. Checked yesterday, it works!

Davies Danburry

Prague | 2023-04-01

time Python module is always a bit confusing 😭 what does the __file__ variable mean/do? is not the only problem I encountered. I am just not quite sure it is the best method

Davies Chamberlet

Rome | 2023-04-01

Maybe there are another answers? What what does the __file__ variable mean/do? exactly means?. I just hope that will not emerge anymore

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