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Create Nested Directories

Zero-dependency Python snippets for creating nested directories using the standard library.

4 snippets available in this sub-category.

Simple

Create nested directories

directory create nested makedirs os

Create nested directory structure

import os

os.makedirs("parent/child/grandchild")

Notes

  • Creates all parent directories as needed
  • Raises OSError if any directory exists
  • Creates complete path in one operation

Create nested directories safely

directory create nested makedirs error-handling os

Create nested directories with error handling

import os

try:
    os.makedirs("parent/child/grandchild")
    print("Nested directories created successfully")
except FileExistsError:
    print("Some directories already exist")
except OSError as e:
    print(f"Error creating directories: {e}")

Notes

  • Handles case where directories exist
  • Provides clear error messages
  • Safe for scripts that may run multiple times

Complex

Create nested directories if not exist

directory create nested exists check makedirs os

Create nested directories only if they don't already exist

import os


def create_nested_directories_if_not_exist(directory_path):
    """Create nested directories only if they don't exist."""
    if not os.path.exists(directory_path):
        try:
            os.makedirs(directory_path)
            print(f"Created directory structure: {directory_path}")
            return True
        except OSError as e:
            print(f"Error creating directories '{directory_path}': {e}")
            return False
    else:
        print(f"Directory structure already exists: {directory_path}")
        return True


create_nested_directories_if_not_exist("projects/python/utils")

Notes

  • Checks existence before creating
  • Prevents errors from existing directories
  • Returns success/failure status
  • Useful for project setup

Create nested directories with custom permissions

directory create nested permissions mode makedirs os

Create nested directories with specific file permissions

import os


def create_nested_directories_with_permissions(directory_path, mode=0o755):
    """Create nested directories with specific permissions."""
    if os.path.exists(directory_path):
        print(f"Directory structure already exists: {directory_path}")
        return True

    try:
        # Create directories with specified permissions
        os.makedirs(directory_path, mode=mode)
        print(f"Created directory structure: {directory_path}")
        print(f"Permissions: {oct(mode)}")
        return True
    except OSError as e:
        print(f"Error creating directories '{directory_path}': {e}")
        return False


# Create nested directories with restrictive permissions
create_nested_directories_with_permissions("private/data/logs", 0o700)

Notes

  • Sets permissions for all created directories
  • 0o700 = rwx------ (private)
  • 0o755 = rwxr-xr-x (standard)

🔗 Cross Reference

🏷️ Tags

directory, create, nested, makedirs, exists, check, permissions, mode, error-handling, os

📝 Notes

  • Use os.makedirs for recursive directory creation
  • Handle errors and permissions as needed
  • Useful for project setup and automation