Write a Python program to open the file hello.txt used in question no 6 in read mode to display its contents. What will be the difference if the file was opened in write mode instead of append mode?
Python Program to Read the File:
python file = open("hello.txt", "r") content = file.read() print(content) file.close()
Alternatively, using the with clause:
python with open("hello.txt", "r") as file: content = file.read() print(content)
Difference between Write Mode and Append Mode:
If the file is opened in write mode, the previous data will be erased, and the file object will be positioned at the beginning of the file. This means all existing content in the file is deleted before writing new data.
On the other hand, in append mode, new data will be added at the end of the previous data as the file object is positioned at the end of the file. The existing content remains intact, and new content is added after it.
Explanation
The question has two parts. First, students need to write a program that opens hello.txt in read mode ('r') and displays its contents using the read() method. The context shows both the traditional method using open() and close(), and the modern approach using the 'with clause' which automatically closes the file. Second, students must explain the key difference between write and append modes. According to the textbook context, write mode ('w') erases all previous data and positions the file pointer at the beginning, while append mode ('a') preserves existing content and adds new data at the end of the file.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Open the file hello.txt in read mode using open() function with 'r' as access mode
Step 2: Use read() method to read the entire content of the file
Step 3: Print the content and close the file (or use with clause for automatic closing)
Step 4: Explain that write mode erases previous data while append mode adds data at the end of existing content