Python | os.listdir() method (original) (raw)

The os.listdir() method in Python is used to get the list of all files and directories in the specified directory. If we don’t specify any directory, then a list of files and directories in the current working directory will be returned.

os.listdir() Method Syntax in Python

**Syntax: os.listdir(path)

*Parameters _*:**_ path (optional) : path of the directory

**Return Type: This method returns the list of all files and directories in the specified path. The return type of this method is _list.

Python os.listdir() Method Example

Below are some examples of Python os.listdir() method of the OS module:

**List Files and Directories in Python Using os.listdir() Method

In this example, the code uses os.listdir() to obtain a list of files and directories in the root directory (“/”). It then prints the obtained list. The output includes the files and directories present in the specified root Directory.

Python3

import os

path = "/"

dir_list = os.listdir(path)

print ( "Files and directories in '" , path, "' :" )

print (dir_list)

**Output:

Files and directories in ' / ' :
['sys', 'run', 'tmp', 'boot', 'mnt', 'dev', 'proc', 'var', 'bin', 'lib64', 'usr',
'lib', 'srv', 'home', 'etc', 'opt', 'sbin', 'media']

**List Files and Directories in Current Directory Using os.listdir()

In this example, the code utilizes os.listdir() method to obtain a list of files and directories in the current working directory os.getcwd() method. It then prints the obtained list, providing information about the files and directories present in the current working directory.

Python3

import os

path = os.getcwd()

dir_list = os.listdir(path)

print ( "Files and directories in '" , path, "' :" )

print (dir_list)

**Output:

Files and directories in ' /home/ihritik ' :
['.rstudio-desktop', '.gnome', '.ipython', '.cache', '.config', '.ssh', 'Public',
'Desktop', '.pki', 'R', '.bash_history', '.Rhistory', '.oracle_jre_usage', 'Music',
'.ICEauthority', 'Documents', 'examples.desktop', '.swipl-dir-history', '.local',
'.gnupg', '.profile', 'Pictures', '.keras', '.viminfo', '.thunderbird', 'Templates',
'.bashrc', '.bash_logout', '.sudo_as_admin_successful', 'Videos', 'images',
'tf_wx_model', 'Downloads', '.mozilla', 'geeksforgeeks']

List All Files and Directories When No Path is Specified

In this example, the code uses os.listdir() to obtain a list of files and directories in the current working directory. It then prints the obtained list, providing information about the files and directories present in the current working directory. If no path is specified, it defaults to the current working directory.

Python3

import os

dir_list = os.listdir()

print ( "Files and directories in current working directory :" )

print (dir_list)

**Output:

Files and directories in current working directory :
['.rstudio-desktop', '.gnome', '.ipython', '.cache', '.config', '.ssh', 'Public',
'Desktop', '.pki', 'R', '.bash_history', '.Rhistory', '.oracle_jre_usage', 'Music',
'.ICEauthority', 'Documents', 'examples.desktop', '.swipl-dir-history', '.local',
'.gnupg', '.profile', 'Pictures', '.keras', '.viminfo', '.thunderbird', 'Templates',
'.bashrc', '.bash_logout', '.sudo_as_admin_successful', 'Videos', 'images',
'tf_wx_model', 'Downloads', '.mozilla', 'geeksforgeeks']