Running a Python Script Inside Another Directory

Question

I have the following Python script inside a directory called 'test' on my Linux desktop:

#!/usr/bin/python

f = open('test.txt','w')
f.write('testing the script')

So it's /Home/Desktop/test/script.py

If I go inside the directory and type ./script.py it works fine and creates the test.txt file.

However for some reason I am not able to run the script from the Desktop (/Home/Desktop). I tried ./test/script.py, for instance, but didn't work.

The file permissions on the script are 755, and on the directory 777.

Any help would be appreciated.

Could you provide the error message you're seeing on the console? — ernie
– ernie, Commented Oct 8, 2012 at 23:56
No error message, so I guess the script is executing but not being able to create the file. — Daniel Scocco
– Daniel Scocco, Commented Oct 9, 2012 at 0:00
If it weren't able to create the file, it should throw an I/O error. I'm guessing it is creating the file, just not where you expect it. Also, as mentioned in my answer, 'w' mode truncates the file, so you won't see any changes if the file exists (except modified time). — ernie
– ernie, Commented Oct 9, 2012 at 0:03

Tadeck · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-08 23:54:08Z

19

You can use os.path.dirname() and __file__ to get absolute paths like this:

#!/usr/bin/python

import os  # We need this module

# Get path of the current dir, then use it to create paths:
CURRENT_DIR = os.path.dirname(__file__)
file_path = os.path.join(CURRENT_DIR, 'test.txt')

# Then work using the absolute paths:
f = open(file_path,'w')
f.write('testing the script')

This way the script will work on files placed only in the same directory as the script, regardless of the place from which you execute it.

answered Oct 8, 2012 at 23:54

Tadeck

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2 Comments

Daniel Scocco Over a year ago

Worked like a charm. Thanks a lot man. I am guessing without that change the script was being executed, but it was not being able to create the file cause it was trying to place it at /Desktop instead of /Desktop/test, correct?

Tadeck Over a year ago

@DanielS: Exactly! :) I am happy I helped.

ernie · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-09 00:00:54Z

2

If your cwd is /Desktop/test, and then you try to execute ./test/script.py, you're trying to run a script at /Desktop/test/test/script.py. More likely, you just wanted to do ./script.py.

As an aside, your question would have been more useful if you had provided the error message you got from the command line, rather than just saying "didn't work"

If the script is running and nothing is echoed to the console, most likely it's working. Note that opening a file in 'w' mode truncates the file. Maybe you want to use a+?

edited Oct 9, 2012 at 0:00

answered Oct 8, 2012 at 23:55

ernie

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3 Comments

Daniel Scocco Over a year ago

No error message, which I now realize must mean the script is executing, but the file is not being opened/created, right?

ernie Over a year ago

@DanielS sounds like it - might be worth putting in a print statement just for a sanity check . . .does test.txt exist and what are it's permissions?

Daniel Scocco Over a year ago

I'll explore more to see if I discover what's going on.

alvonellos · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-08 23:49:50Z

1

In your open('test.txt', 'w') put open(r'./test.txt', 'w'). When you run it, use "python script.py. See if that works.

answered Oct 8, 2012 at 23:49

alvonellos

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4 Comments

Daniel Scocco Over a year ago

You mean use python ./test/script.py? Cause as I said I am trying to run the script from outside its directory.

alvonellos Over a year ago

Yes. I figured that you could generalize the parameters to the python executable.

Daniel Scocco Over a year ago

Gotcha. Do you also mean open(r'./test.txt','w') or open('./test.txt','w'), without the 'r').

alvonellos Over a year ago

No, I meant the r, it's useful for not having to explicitly delimit strings (especially those containing paths). See: tutorialspoint.com/python/python_strings.htm

tink · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-08 23:48:41Z

0

"And so on" doesn't meant much.

Where in the file-system are you? What is the test directories relative position to your location?

Have you tried a fully qualified path? E.g.,

/home/daniel/test/script.py

answered Oct 8, 2012 at 23:48

tink

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1 Comment

Daniel Scocco Over a year ago

I am on the Desktop, and 'test' directory is inside it. I edited the question to contain this info. Thanks

dckrooney · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-08 23:51:56Z

0

What directory are you executing in? You might try using:

import os

print os.getcwd()

to verify that the working directory is what you think it is.

answered Oct 8, 2012 at 23:51

dckrooney

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