How to Copy a file in Python

One of the most common tasks in everyday software development is to copy files with code. We will look at a library called shutil that lets us Copy a file in Python in a few different ways.

As part of Python’s Standard Library, the shutil module lets you do a wide range of high-level file operations. There are many ways to copy a file in the library, depending on whether or not you want to copy the file’s metadata or permissions, and whether or not you want to copy the file to a directory.

How to Copy a file in Python

Copy a file in Python

Filesystem manipulation is used a lot in almost all advanced programming and development situations. Preparing datasets for an ML pipeline, storing data in the filesystem for software or a website, etc. all require a good understanding of file systems. In Python, there are different ways to copy a file. We will start with the idea of using the library’s computer system.

Using shutil.copy() in shutil library

The shutil library offers many high-level file operations such as copy, create, remote, etc. Shutil is a library that comes with Python, so you do not need to use pip to install it.

The way it works is by using the operating system’s command line or shell. The word “shell utilities” is where the name “Shutil” comes from. Shells can be used to change file systems, which is what Shutil does.

Here’s the code that shows how to use shutil to copy a file from one place to another:

import shutil

source_path = "C:\user\Desktop\file.txt"
destination_path = "C:\user\Documents\file.txt"

shutil.copy(source_path, destination_path)

In the code above, we used the shutil.copy() function to copy a file called file.txt from the desktop folder and paste it into the documents folder. The shutil.copy() function takes two arguments: the source path, which is where the file came from, and the destination path, which is where the file needs to go.

Copying is as easy as that, and the Shutil library has other functions that can be used in different ways.

shutil.copy2() method

copy2() is better than copy() because it lets the destination folder be a directory instead of the full name of the target file. It also keeps the original information about who changed the file and when in the file’s metadata. Here’s what we mean:

import shutil

source_path = "C:\user\Desktop\file.txt"
destination_path = "C:\user\Documents"

shutil.copy2(source_path, destination_path)

In this case, the path to the destination is shorter, which means less code, which is always a good thing. Shutil also has functions like copyfileobj() and copyfile() that, for the most part, do the same thing but with a few exceptions. Here are the ways these functions are used:

shutil.copyfile() method

import shutil

source_path = "C:\user\Desktop\file.txt"
destination_path = "C:\user\Documents\file.txt"

shutil.copyfile(source_path, destination_path)

The important thing about using the copyfile() function is that it copies a file from one path to another in the fastest way possible. The copy() and copy2() functions can be used to copy directories from one path to another. The copyfile() function, on the other hand, only copies files from one path to another in the most efficient way possible.

FAQ

What is the CP command in Python?

The copy() method works the same way as the Unix “cp” command. It means that if the target is a folder, a new file with the same name (basename) as the source file will be made inside the folder. Also, after copying the file’s content, this method will match the permissions of the target file to those of the source.

How can you copy or move a file?

Right-click the file or folder you want, and then click Move or Copy from the menu that comes up. The Move or Copy window opens. If you need to, scroll down to find the folder you want to use as a destination.

How do I move or copy files?

To copy a file to another folder, just hold down the left mouse button and drag the file to the folder you want to copy it to. Hold down the Shift key and drag a file to move it. You can also drag files with the middle mouse button.

How does the copy cp command work?

The cp command copies the source file from the SourceFile parameter to the TargetFile parameter. If the target file already exists, cp will overwrite its contents, but it will not change the file’s mode, owner, or group.

Lucas Simonds
Lucas Simonds
Lucas Simonds is a skilled content editor at Bollyinside, specializing in "How to" and "Tips & Tricks" articles focused on Gaming, Software, and Apps. With a genuine passion for video games, he not only writes about them but also actively engages in gaming. His commitment to providing insightful and approachable content has earned him a trusted reputation within the online community.

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