How to Efficiently Check for File Existence in Python Without Try-Except Blocks?

How to Determine File Existence Without Exception Handling

When attempting to retrieve information about the existence of a file, resorting to exception handling methods like try-except may not always be the most efficient approach. Exploring alternative techniques can enhance code performance and readability.

Using os.path.isfile()

If your primary intent is to determine file existence without immediate opening, employing os.path.isfile() provides a straightforward solution.

import os.path

if os.path.isfile(fname):
    # File exists

Leveraging pathlib

Python 3.4 introduced pathlib, an object-oriented module that simplifies file and directory operations.

from pathlib import Path

my_file = Path("/path/to/file")

# Check if it's a file
if my_file.is_file():
    # File exists

# Check if it's a directory
if my_file.is_dir():
    # Directory exists

# Check if it exists regardless of type
if my_file.exists():
    # Path exists

Try-except with resolve()

Another alternative involves utilizing resolve(strict=True) within a try block:

try:
    my_abs_path = my_file.resolve(strict=True)
except FileNotFoundError:
    # Doesn't exist
else:
    # Exists

By considering these options, you gain more control and flexibility in detecting file existence, enabling you to optimize your code and avoid unnecessary try-except statements.

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