How to Reliably Open Files in the Same Directory as Your Running Python Script?

Opening Files in the Directory of the Running Script [Revisited]

In Python, opening files located in the same directory as the running script can be a challenge, especially when considering cross-platform compatibility. A common approach involves using open("Some file.txt", "r"), which works when the script is executed from the command line. However, when the script is launched via a double-click in Windows, it may attempt to open the file from an incorrect directory.

To address this issue, developers have sought reliable alternatives. os.path.join(sys.path[0], "Some file.txt") has emerged as a common workaround, but concerns remain about its potential limitations.

Determining the Script's Directory

Identifying the script's directory is crucial for opening files located within it. Among the various methods available, os.getcwd() and os.path.abspath('') retrieve the current working directory, which may not necessarily be the script's directory. Similarly, os.path.dirname(sys.argv[0]) and os.path.dirname(__file__) provide the script's execution path, which may be relative or incomplete when the script is executed in certain environments.

Recommended Solution

To ensure reliable file opening in the script's directory, the following approach is recommended:

__location__ = os.path.realpath(
    os.path.join(os.getcwd(), os.path.dirname(__file__)))

This line combines the current working directory and the script's path, ensuring that absolute paths remain unaffected while resolving any symbolic links.

To open files using this method:

f = open(os.path.join(__location__, 'bundled-resource.jpg'))

This approach provides a robust solution for opening files in the same directory as the running script, regardless of the execution environment or platform.

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