Python: Find path refers to a file or directory when you encounter a path name

Last update on May 17 2025 05:43:17 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

File or Directory Path Finder

Write a Python program to find the path to a file or directory when you encounter a path name.

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

# Import the 'os.path' module for working with file paths.
import os.path
# Iterate through a list of file paths, including '__file__', the directory of '__file__', '/', and a broken link.
for file in [__file__, os.path.dirname(__file__), '/', './broken_link']:
    # Print the name of the current file.
    print('File        :', file)

    # Check if the file path is an absolute path using 'os.path.isabs()'.
    print('Absolute    :', os.path.isabs(file))

    # Check if the file path points to an existing file using 'os.path.isfile()'.
    print('Is File?    :', os.path.isfile(file))

    # Check if the file path points to an existing directory using 'os.path.isdir()'.
    print('Is Dir?     :', os.path.isdir(file))

    # Check if the file path is a symbolic link using 'os.path.islink()'.
    print('Is Link?    :', os.path.islink(file))

    # Check if the file path exists (regardless of its type) using 'os.path.exists()'.
    print('Exists?     :', os.path.exists(file))

    # Check if the symbolic link exists using 'os.path.lexists()'.
    print('Link Exists?:', os.path.lexists(file))

Sample Output:

File        : 26cb6a20-266f-11e7-a9c1-cf681af3cdf1.py              
Absolute    : False                                                
Is File?    : True                                                 
Is Dir?     : False                                                
Is Link?    : False                                                
Exists?     : True                                                 
Link Exists?: True  
------
Is Dir?     : False                                                
Is Link?    : False                                                
Exists?     : False                                                
Link Exists?: False 

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

• Write a Python program to check if a given path is absolute or relative.
• Write a Python program to convert a relative path to an absolute path.
• Write a Python program to get the parent directory of a given file path.
• Write a Python program to check if a directory contains any files.

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