When you do work with the file in Python you have to use modes for specific operations like create, read, write, append, etc. This is called Python file modes in file handling.

Python file modes
Don’t confuse, read about every mode as below.
r
for reading – The file pointer is placed at the beginning of the file. This is the default mode.r+
Opens a file for both reading and writing. The file pointer will be at the beginning of the file.w
Opens a file for writing only. Overwrites the file if the file exists. If the file does not exist, creates a new file for writing.w+
Opens a file for both writing and reading. Overwrites the existing file if the file exists. If the file does not exist, it creates a new file for reading and writing.rb
Opens a file for reading only in binary format. The file pointer is placed at the beginning of the file.rb+
Opens a file for both reading and writing in binary format.wb+
Opens a file for both writing and reading in binary format. Overwrites the existing file if the file exists. If the file does not exist, it creates a new file for reading and writing.a
Opens a file for appending. The file pointer is at the end of the file if the file exists. That is, the file is in the append mode. If the file does not exist, it creates a new file for writing.ab
Opens a file for appending in binary format. The file pointer is at the end of the file if the file exists. That is, the file is in the append mode. If the file does not exist, it creates a new file for writing.a+
Opens a file for both appending and reading. The file pointer is at the end of the file if the file exists. The file opens in the append mode. If the file does not exist, it creates a new file for reading and writing.ab+
Opens a file for both appending and reading in binary format. The file pointer is at the end of the file if the file exists. The file opens in the append mode. If the file does not exist, it creates a new file for reading and writing.x
open for exclusive creation, failing if the file already exists (Python 3)
Let’s See basic Example of the use of File mode
Create File
f = open("cFile.txt", "w")
More Examples of creating a file: Python Create File (Empty Text File)
Write File
Now writing the file. ‘w’
– Write mode
f = open("testFile.txt", "w")
f.write("Hello file")
Python File Handling Quiz
Quiz-summary
0 of 10 questions completed
Questions:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Information
Python File Handling to test your knowledge – ( Create, Open, Update, delete and more about in Python)
It’s for Beginners, Advanced and Experienced Programmers.
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading…
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 10 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score |
|
Your score |
|
Categories
- Not categorized 0%
Pos. | Name | Entered on | Points | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Table is loading | ||||
No data available | ||||
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- Answered
- Review
-
Question 1 of 10
1. Question
Which of the following command is used to open a file “c:\textFile.txt” in read-mode only?
Correct
Incorrect
-
Question 2 of 10
2. Question
Which functions use to check if a file exists?
File name = “logo”Correct
Incorrect
-
Question 3 of 10
3. Question
How do you insert something on a new line in a file?
Correct
Incorrect
-
Question 4 of 10
4. Question
Appending to a file means adding extra data into the file.
Correct
Incorrect
-
Question 5 of 10
5. Question
What is the last action that must be performed on a file?
Correct
Incorrect
-
Question 6 of 10
6. Question
What is the data type of data read from a file?
Correct
Incorrect
-
Question 7 of 10
7. Question
Can you create a file without using file modes in Python?
Correct
Incorrect
-
Question 8 of 10
8. Question
Reading from a file often involves using…
Correct
Incorrect
-
Question 9 of 10
9. Question
Which of the following statements are true regarding the opening modes of a file?
Correct
Incorrect
-
Question 10 of 10
10. Question
Which of the following commands option right to read the entire contents of a file as a string using the file object
? Correct
Incorrect
Do comment if you have any doubts and suggestions on this tutorial.
Note:
IDE: PyCharm 2020.1.1 (Community Edition)
macOS 10.15.4
Python 3.7
All Python Examples are in Python 3, so Maybe its different from python 2 or upgraded versions.

Degree in Computer Science and Engineer: App Developer and has multiple Programming languages experience. Enthusiasm for technology & like learning technical.
perfecto