How Can I Extract Filenames from Paths in Python, Regardless of OS?

How to Extract Filenames from Paths in Python, Regardless of OS or Path Format

Python provides a convenient way to retrieve the filename from a path, irrespective of the operating system or path format.

Using the os.path.basename() Function

The os.path.basename(path) function is designed specifically for extracting the filename from a path. It eliminates any leading directories or drive letters, returning only the filename itself.

For instance, consider the following paths:

a/b/c/
a/b/c
\a\b\c
\a\b\c\
a\b\c
a/b/../../a/b/c/
a/b/../../a/b/c

For each of these paths, os.path.basename would return the filename "c".

Code Snippet

To use os.path.basename(), simply import the os module and pass the path to the function as shown below:

import os
your_path = 'a/b/c/'
result = os.path.basename(your_path)
print(result)  # Output: 'c'

Caution for Windows-Style Paths on POSIX Systems

It's important to note that when using os.path.basename() on a POSIX system to extract the base name from a Windows-style path (e.g., "C:\my\file.txt"), the entire path will be returned. To rectify this issue, consider using alternative methods or handling the paths differently based on the operating system.

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