How do I check whether a file exists using Python? -

how check whether file exists, without using try statement?

if reason you're checking can if file_exists: open_it(), it's safer use try around attempt open it. checking , opening risks file being deleted or moved or between when check , when try open it.

if you're not planning open file immediately, can use os.path.isfile

return true if path existing regular file. follows symbolic links, both islink() , isfile() can true same path.

import os.path os.path.isfile(fname)  

if need sure it's file.

starting python 3.4, pathlib module offers object-oriented approach (backported pathlib2 in python 2.7):

from pathlib import path  my_file = path("/path/to/file") if my_file.is_file():     # file exists 

to check directory, do:

if my_file.is_dir():     # directory exists 

to check whether path object exists independently of whether file or directory, use exists():

if my_file.exists():     # path exists 

you can use resolve() in try block:

try:     my_abs_path = my_file.resolve(): except filenotfounderror:     # doesn't exist else:     # exists