9 ways python copy file to another directory

In Python, copying a file from one directory to another is a common task that can be accomplished in a number of ways. In this article, we will explore 10 different methods for copying a file to another directory in Python, including using the shutil library, the os library, the subprocess library, and the pathlib library.

9 ways python copy file to another directory

1. Using the shutil.copy() function

The shutil library provides several functions for copying files, including the shutil.copy() function. This function is used to copy the contents of a file from one location to another. The function takes two arguments: the source file and the destination file. Here is an example:

import shutil

src_file = '/path/to/source/file.txt'
dst_file = '/path/to/destination/file.txt'

shutil.copy(src_file, dst_file)

This method is easy to use and understand but it only copies the content of the file, it doesn’t copy the metadata of the file like permissions, timestamps etc.

2. Using the shutil.copy2() function

The shutil.copy2() function is similar to shutil.copy(), but it also preserves metadata such as permissions, timestamps, etc.

import shutil

src_file = '/path/to/source/file.txt'
dst_file = '/path/to/destination/file.txt'

shutil.copy2(src_file, dst_file)

3. Using the shutil.copytree() function

The shutil.copytree() function is used to copy an entire directory, including all its subdirectories and files, to a new location. The function takes two arguments: the source directory and the destination directory. Here is an example:

import shutil

src_dir = '/path/to/source/'
dst_dir = '/path/to/destination/'

shutil.copytree(src_dir, dst_dir)

This method is useful if you want to copy a folder and all its content but keep in mind that if the destination directory already exists, it will raise an error.

4. Using the os.system() function with the cp command

The os library provides the os.system() function, which can be used to run shell commands, such as the cp command. Here is an example:

import os

src_file = '/path/to/source/file.txt'
dst_file = '/path/to/destination/file.txt'

os.system('cp ' + src_file + ' ' + dst_file)

This method is simple and easy but it can be less flexible and less powerful than other methods like shutil or subprocess

5. Using the os.rename() function

The os.rename() function is used to rename a file or directory. It can also be used to move a file from one directory to another by providing a new path to the file. Here is an example:

import os

src_file = '/path/to/source/file.txt'
dst_file = '/path/to
destination/file.txt'

os.rename(src_file, dst_file)

This method is simple and easy to use but it is not suitable for copying multiple files or directories. Also, it will raise an error if the destination file already exists.

6. Using the `subprocess.run()` function with the `cp` command

The subprocess library provides the subprocess.run() function, which can be used to run shell commands, such as the `cp` command. Here is an example:

import subprocess

src_file = '/path/to/source/file.txt' dst_file = '/path/to/destination/file.txt'

subprocess.run(['cp', src_file, dst_file])

This method is more powerful and flexible than `os.system()` but it is also more complex to use.

7. Using the `subprocess.Popen()` function with the `cp` command

The subprocess.Popen() function is similar to subprocess.run(), but it returns a process object that can be used to interact with the running process. Here is an example:

import subprocess

src_file = '/path/to/source/file.txt' dst_file = '/path/to/destination/file.txt'

p = subprocess.Popen(['cp', src_file, dst_file]) p.wait()

This method is more powerful and flexible than `os.system()` and `subprocess.run()` but it is also more complex to use.

8. Using the `send2trash()` function

The `send2trash()` function is a part of the `send2trash` library and it sends a file or folder to the trash or recycles bin. Here is an example:

from send2trash import send2trash

src_file = '/path/to/source/file.txt'

send2trash(src_file)

This method is useful if you want to delete files instead of copying them.

9. Using the `pathlib.Path.rename()` function

The pathlib library provides the pathlib.Path.rename() function, which can be used to rename a file or move it to a different directory. Here is an example:

from pathlib import Path

src_file = Path('/path/to/source/file.txt') dst_file = Path('/path/to/destination/file.txt')

src_file.rename(dst_file)

This method is similar to os.rename() but it has a more object-oriented interface, making it more readable and easier to use.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored 10 different methods for copying a file to another directory in Python. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best method for a particular situation will depend on the specific requirements of the task at hand.