The Python pathlib module is a modern way to work with files and directories. It provides a clean, object-oriented approach to file system paths and is recommended over the traditional os module for most new Python projects.
If you want cleaner code, better readability, and cross-platform compatibility, pathlib is the right choice.
What Is Pathlib in Python?
pathlib is a built-in Python module that represents file system paths as objects instead of strings.
This means you can:
- Work with files and folders easily
- Avoid OS-specific path issues
- Write cleaner and more readable code
📌 Introduced in Python 3.4+.
How to Import Pathlib
from pathlib import Path
Create a Path Object
path = Path("data.txt")
print(path)
You can also create folder paths:
Path("projects/python/app")
Get Current Working Directory
Path.cwd()
📌 Real-world use:
Used in automation scripts and CLI tools.
Create Files and Directories
Create a Directory
Path("my_folder").mkdir()
Create nested directories:
Path("projects/python/app").mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
Create an Empty File
Path("sample.txt").touch()
Check File or Directory Existence
path = Path("sample.txt")
path.exists()
path.is_file()
path.is_dir()
📌 Prevents runtime errors.
Read and Write Files (Cleaner Than os)
Write to a File
path = Path("note.txt")
path.write_text("Hello, Pathlib!")
Read from a File
path.read_text()
Path Operations (Very Important)
Join Paths (No os.path.join Needed)
folder = Path("data")
file = folder / "info.txt"
📌 / operator automatically handles OS paths.
Get File Name, Extension, Parent
path = Path("images/photo.png")
path.name # photo.png
path.stem # photo
path.suffix # .png
path.parent
Rename, Move, and Delete Files
Rename File
path.rename("new_name.txt")
Delete File
path.unlink()
Delete Empty Folder
Path("my_folder").rmdir()
List Files and Directories
List All Files
Path(".").iterdir()
List Only Specific File Types
for file in Path(".").glob("*.txt"):
print(file)
Recursive Search
Path(".").rglob("*.py")
📌 Real-world use:
Search tools, code scanners, backup utilities.
Environment-Aware Paths
Home Directory
Path.home()
User Desktop (Cross-Platform)
Path.home() / "Desktop"
Real-World Pathlib Examples
Delete All .log Files
for file in Path(".").glob("*.log"):
file.unlink()
Create Daily Backup Folder
from datetime import date
from pathlib import Path
folder = Path(str(date.today()))
folder.mkdir(exist_ok=True)
Final Thoughts
The Python pathlib module is the future of file and directory handling in Python. It makes your code cleaner, safer, and more readable, while working smoothly across all operating systems.
If you’re starting a new Python project 👉 choose pathlib first 🚀