To change the current working directory in Python, use the os.chdir() method. The os.chdir() is a built-in Python function used to change the current working directory to the specified path. It takes only a single argument as a new directory path.
To work with directories and files in Python, use the built-in os module. The os stands for the Operating System. The OS module provides all the necessary functions to work with os related tasks.
The OS module is used for making the python compiler interact with the operating system. The directory is also meant as the folder. This directory consists of Path where the file is presently followed by the file name.
To get the current working directory in Python, use the getcwd() function.
import os
directory = os.getcwd()
print("The current working directory of the file is : ", directory)
Output
The current working directory of the file is : /Users/krunallathiya/Desktop/Code/R
In this program, we imported the os module. The os module has a function called os.getcwd() function that returns the current working directory.
Hence, the location in which the python file is running will be displayed as output. We can get the current working directory using this function.
Python program to change the current working directory
import os
directory = os.getcwd()
print("The current working directory of the file is : ", directory)
os.chdir("/Users/krunallathiya/Desktop")
Output
The current working directory of the file is : /Users/krunallathiya/Desktop/Code/R
In this program, we printed the current working directory. It will display the working directory of the file. Then, we changed the current working directory using the os.chdir() function.
The os.chdir() function changes the current working directory. The path which is passed inside the argument is made as to the current working directory.
To check the current directory after changing the directory, use the following code.
import os
directory = os.getcwd()
print("The current working directory of the file is : ", directory)
os.chdir("/Users/krunallathiya/Desktop")
changedDirectory = os.getcwd()
print(" The current working directory After changing the directory is : ", changedDirectory)
Output
The current working directory of the file is : /Users/krunallathiya/Desktop/Code/R
The current working directory After changing the directory is : /Users/krunallathiya/Desktop
Hence, we printed the current working directory in the beginning then we changed the directory using the chdir() function. Then we printed the current working directory after changing it. Now, the changedDirectory will be displayed as the current working directory.
Program for changing current directory with try and except block
import os
directory = os.getcwd()
print("The current working directory of the file is : ", directory)
try:
os.chdir("/Users/krunallathiya/Desktop")
except:
print("The directory cannot be changed")
else:
changed = os.getcsd()
print("The current working directory After changing the directory is : ", changed)
Output
The current working directory of the file is : /Users/krunallathiya/Desktop/Code/R
The current working directory After changing the directory is : /Users/krunallathiya/Desktop
In this program, we used to try-except block for error handling. If the directory is changed then the new directory will be displayed in the new directory. Then else a message will be printed stating that the directory cannot be changed.
That’s it for this tutorial.
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Krunal Lathiya is a Software Engineer with over eight years of experience. He has developed a strong foundation in computer science principles and a passion for problem-solving. In addition, Krunal has excellent knowledge of Data Science and Machine Learning, and he is an expert in R Language. Krunal has experience with various programming languages and technologies, including PHP, Python, and JavaScript. He is comfortable working in front-end and back-end development.
is there another way for it? without importing os?