CODEWITHSUNDEEP
python
Adergaard
Adergaard

Reputation: 923

How to empty a file using Python

In the Unix shell I can do this to empty a file:

cd /the/file/directory/
:> thefile.ext

How would I go about doing this in Python?

Is os.system the way here, I wouldn't know how since I would have to send 2 actions after each other i.e. the cd and then the :>.

Upvotes: 92

Views: 126051

Answers (2)

jamylak
jamylak

Reputation: 133714

Alternate form of the answer by @rumpel

with open(filename, 'w'): pass

Upvotes: 42

rumpel
rumpel

Reputation: 8308

Opening a file creates it and (unless append ('a') is set) overwrites it with emptyness, such as this:

open(filename, 'w').close()

Upvotes: 205

Related Questions