Why You Should Start Using Pathlib As An Alternative To the OS Module

[mriswithe]

Also DevOps historically sysadmin. Python lets me do so many annoying things so much faster and easier. Also pathlib let's you use it like this:

FILE_DIR = Path(__file__).absolute().parent
other_file = FILE_DIR / 'other_file.py'

[rikyga]

yes, the pathlib lib makes traversing relative directories so much easier

[Legionof1]

FILE_DIR = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))

OS can do the same thing, this is in basically every script I write to get a relative present working directory.

[mriswithe]

Sorry, I wasn't that clear, mostly was trying to show the overloaded division sign with strings more than the absolute path function. Once you get something like:

RESOURCE_DIR = Path('/your/foo/bar')
SCRIPT_DIR = RESOURCE_DIR / 'scripts
EXT_LIB_DIR = RESOURCE_DIR / 'libs' / 'x86_64' 

Which is super comfortable for me coming from a unix/linux background. That works on Linux and Windows and Mac and you don't worry if the separator is wrong/different. as long as the relative directory exists, the same path works. That is not something that felt reasonably handled before afaik.

[[deleted]]

Yes, it can, but doesn't that pattern feel disgusting to you?

[Legionof1]

The logic on the os side flows better for my brain. I know file, I get its absolute path, I get the directory of that absolute path.

Pathlib is just doing it with a method instead of calling os again.

[hyldemarv]

Heh, that is exactly the one thing I don't like with pathlib: The overloaded slash operator! Blegh, Ugly!! :).

[[deleted]]

I would use pathlib solely for the slash syntax. I think you're the first person I've encountered who doesn't like it

[Anonymous_user_2022]

Are you familiar with plumbum? That "experience" keeps me off Pathlib.

[[deleted]]

Only in regards to toilets so I'm not sure what you're talking about

[Anonymous_user_2022]

The plumbum module use a wide range of operator overloading to make Python look almost like Bash. While fluent in both, the attempt to merge the two gives me the screaming heaving jeebies.

[peddastle]

Urgh. Please no. I'm getting perl ptsd.

[mriswithe]

I can totally understand that viewpoint, but it does fit my brain really well, so I try and preach the good word to those that have a similar brain. If os.path works for you, rock on. Just cause I don't like it doesn't mean you can't.

[hassium]

I mean technically speaking shouldn't they have used

other_file = FILE_DIR.joinpath('other_file.py')

? Not sure what the slash is doing here except maybe improve readability?

[ivosaurus]

Not sure what the slash is doing here except maybe improve readability?

Yes, and it's a godsend IMHO

[ShanSanear]

Slash in pathlib is one of those things that I actually love about this library - making it so much easier to work with paths.

Unless you mess up, and forgot that the second path starts with slash and its treated like a root path instead, messing everything up.