not able to return file as empty in python

Question

I have a scenario which i am trying to implement , where i need to check file is empty or not But need to consider below case statements

Case 1 : if file as empty lines and no records then message should be shown as File is Empty

Case 2 : if file as Only Spaces and no records then message should be shown as File is Empty

Case 3 : if file as Only tabs and no records then message should be shown as File is Empty

I have tried my below code , but not satisfying

My python code :

  import os


def isEmp(fname):
    with open(fname) as f:
        f.seek(0, os.SEEK_END)
        if f.tell():
            f.seek(0)
        else:
            print('File is Empty')

Any approach to cover all above Cases 1,2,3

if not f.read.strip(), a non empty string is truth value so an empty string is false. if not True which is if False, the string is empty so print('Empty file') — user15801675
– user15801675, Commented Jul 23, 2021 at 14:50

Harshal Parekh · Accepted Answer · 2021-07-23 14:48:32Z

2

def isEmp(fname):
    with open(fname) as f:
        contents = f.read().strip()
        if contents:
            # use contents here
            print("Not empty")
        else: 
            print("Empty")

You need to use .strip() to remove all the spaces or tabs at the beginning and the end of the file.

answered Jul 23, 2021 at 14:48

Harshal Parekh

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4 Comments

not_speshal Over a year ago

You should check if len(contents) > 0. Using strip() will just return an empty string if the file is all spaces.

Harshal Parekh Over a year ago

if contents: will return False if the string is empty

codeholic24 Over a year ago

@Harshal Parekh Thanks it seems the not_speshal comment should be consider I believe

Harshal Parekh Over a year ago

In the code provided, all the 3 cases will work just fine @codeholic24

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