Python Pathlib read_bytes() Explained

Python's pathlib module simplifies file and directory operations. One of its useful methods is read_bytes(). This method reads the contents of a file as bytes.

In this article, we'll explore how to use read_bytes() effectively. We'll also provide examples to help you understand its usage.

What is pathlib.read_bytes()?

The read_bytes() method is part of the Path class in the pathlib module. It reads the file's contents and returns them as a bytes object.

This is particularly useful when dealing with binary files like images, audio, or any non-text data.

How to Use pathlib.read_bytes()

To use read_bytes(), you first need to create a Path object pointing to the file. Then, call the method on this object.

Here's a simple example:

from pathlib import Path

# Create a Path object
file_path = Path('example.bin')

# Read the file contents as bytes
file_bytes = file_path.read_bytes()

print(file_bytes)
    

In this example, example.bin is a binary file. The read_bytes() method reads its contents and stores them in the file_bytes variable.

Example with Output

Let's consider a more detailed example. Suppose you have a binary file named data.bin with some content.

Here's how you can read its contents using read_bytes():

from pathlib import Path

# Path to the binary file
file_path = Path('data.bin')

# Read the file as bytes
file_bytes = file_path.read_bytes()

# Print the bytes
print(file_bytes)
    

If data.bin contains the bytes b'\x48\x65\x6c\x6c\x6f', the output will be:

b'Hello'
    

This output shows that the bytes were successfully read and interpreted as the string "Hello".

Handling Errors

When using read_bytes(), you might encounter errors if the file doesn't exist or if you don't have permission to read it.

To handle these errors, you can use a try-except block. Here's an example:

from pathlib import Path

file_path = Path('nonexistent.bin')

try:
    file_bytes = file_path.read_bytes()
    print(file_bytes)
except FileNotFoundError:
    print("File not found.")
except PermissionError:
    print("Permission denied.")
    

This code attempts to read a file that doesn't exist. The FileNotFoundError exception is caught, and a message is printed.

Comparing with read_text()

While read_bytes() reads files as bytes, read_text() reads them as strings. If you're working with text files, read_text() might be more appropriate.

For more details, check out our article on Python Pathlib read_text() Explained.

Conclusion

The read_bytes() method in Python's pathlib module is a powerful tool for reading binary files. It returns the file's contents as a bytes object, making it ideal for handling non-text data.

By following the examples in this article, you should be able to use read_bytes() effectively in your projects. For more advanced file operations, consider exploring other methods like write_text() or iterdir().