Question about working with files (and help with my project)

Question

I want to create a patient journal that creates patient files in a specific folder. I insert a name, if the folder contains a file named that, it allows me to make a new entry (I remember that Python likes to erase everything in a file when writing).

If such a file isn't in a folder, it asks me if I want to create one. And it automatically adds a date and time.

So how should I approach this? I want to use .txt files or something like that (I was once suggested .csv, just no).

Answer 1

Bit by bit. First make a program that writes to a file, then make it so it'll check if the filename is already in the folder, then add some loops so you can do it multiple times. Just write a bit then test it over and over again until your satisfied. And if you want to write a file without deleting it, write in append mode.

Answer 2

use os module.

# this will move you into directory
os.chdir("home/example/directory")

Theres should also be a file exists check somewhere, just do some research

Answer 3

Thanks :) But how do I work with folders? That's my main question, sorry for leaving it unclear haha Like, how's the syntax that I need to use when asking the computer "is file x in folder y?"

Answer 4

Thank you very much :)