Directory Exists

Zero-dependency Python snippets for checking directory existence using the standard library.

4 snippets available in this sub-category.

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Simple

Check if directory exists

directory exists check os path

Check if a directory exists in the filesystem

import os

if os.path.exists("directory_name"):
    print("Directory exists")
else:
    print("Directory does not exist")

Notes

• Returns True if path exists (file or directory)
• Returns False if path doesn't exist
• Works for any path type

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Check if path is a directory

directory isdir check os path

Check if path is specifically a directory

import os

if os.path.isdir("directory_name"):
    print("It is a directory")
else:
    print("Not a directory")

Notes

• Returns True only for directories
• Returns False for files, symlinks, etc.
• More specific than exists()

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Complex

Check directory with detailed status

directory exists check status permissions os

Check directory existence with detailed status and permissions

import os


def check_directory_status(directory):
    """Check directory existence and type with detailed status."""
    if not os.path.exists(directory):
        return "Directory does not exist"

    if os.path.isdir(directory):
        # Check permissions
        permissions = []
        if os.access(directory, os.R_OK):
            permissions.append("readable")
        if os.access(directory, os.W_OK):
            permissions.append("writable")
        if os.access(directory, os.X_OK):
            permissions.append("executable")

        return f"Directory exists and is {', '.join(permissions)}"

    elif os.path.isfile(directory):
        return "Path exists but is a file, not a directory"

    elif os.path.islink(directory):
        return "Path exists but is a symbolic link"

    else:
        return "Path exists but is not a regular directory"


status = check_directory_status("my_directory")
print(status)

Notes

• Distinguishes between different path types
• Checks read, write, and execute permissions
• Provides detailed status information
• Useful for validation and debugging

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Check directory with validation

directory exists validate permissions accessibility os

Validate directory with comprehensive existence and permission checks

import os


def validate_directory(directory, check_permissions=True):
    """Validate directory existence and accessibility."""
    validation_result = {
        "exists": False,
        "is_directory": False,
        "readable": False,
        "writable": False,
        "executable": False,
        "errors": [],
    }

    # Check existence
    if not os.path.exists(directory):
        validation_result["errors"].append(f"Directory '{directory}' does not exist")
        return validation_result

    validation_result["exists"] = True

    # Check if it's a directory
    if not os.path.isdir(directory):
        validation_result["errors"].append(f"'{directory}' is not a directory")
        return validation_result

    validation_result["is_directory"] = True

    # Check permissions if requested
    if check_permissions:
        if os.access(directory, os.R_OK):
            validation_result["readable"] = True
        else:
            validation_result["errors"].append("Directory is not readable")

        if os.access(directory, os.W_OK):
            validation_result["writable"] = True
        else:
            validation_result["errors"].append("Directory is not writable")

        if os.access(directory, os.X_OK):
            validation_result["executable"] = True
        else:
            validation_result["errors"].append("Directory is not executable")

    return validation_result


# Validate directory
result = validate_directory("/path/to/directory")
if result["errors"]:
    print("Validation errors:")
    for error in result["errors"]:
        print(f"  - {error}")
else:
    print("Directory is valid and accessible")

Notes

• Returns detailed validation results
• Checks all relevant permissions
• Provides specific error messages
• Useful for setup and configuration scripts

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🔗 Cross-References

• Reference: See 📂 File Exists
• Reference: See 📂 Create Directory

🏷️ Tags

file, directory, exists, os, check, io

📝 Notes

• Use os.path.isdir() to check for directory existence
• Useful for safe directory operations
• Related: file existence and creation