Python: Check whether a file path is a file or a directory

Last update on February 21 2025 07:47:35 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

File or Directory Checker

Write a Python program to check whether a file path is a file or a directory.

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

# Import the 'os' module to access operating system functionalities.
import os

# Define the path to a file or directory named 'abc.txt'.
path = "abc.txt"

# Check if the path refers to a directory.
if os.path.isdir(path):
    # Print a message indicating that it is a directory.
    print("\nIt is a directory")

# Check if the path refers to a regular file.
elif os.path.isfile(path):
    # Print a message indicating that it is a normal file.
    print("\nIt is a normal file")

# If the path doesn't match a directory or a regular file, assume it's a special file (e.g., socket, FIFO, device file).
else:
    # Print a message indicating that it is a special file.
    print("It is a special file (socket, FIFO, device file)")

# Print a newline character for spacing.
print()

Sample Output:

It is a normal file  

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

• Write a Python program to check whether a given path exists and determine its type (file or directory).
• Write a Python program to list all files in a given directory that match a specific extension.
• Write a Python program to determine if a file is empty.
• Write a Python program to find the largest file in a directory.

Python Code Editor:

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