Windows paths with spaces in Python's `os`

#python #beginners #tutorial

Dealing with spaces in file paths is an issue that I keep running into.
So here's a very short blog to save us time and headaches.

You can either use r string or double backslashes (\\).

1. The Recommended Fix: Use a Raw String `r`

import os

# Correct: Use 'r' before the string to create a raw string
path_with_spaces = r"F:\python\New folder (2)"

if os.path.isdir(path_with_spaces):
    print(f"'{path_with_spaces}' is a directory.")
else:
    print(f"'{path_with_spaces}' is NOT a directory or does not exist.")

2. Alternative Fix: Double Backslashes

import os

# Alternative: Escape the backslashes
path_with_spaces_escaped = "F:\\python\\New folder (2)"

if os.path.isdir(path_with_spaces_escaped):
    print(f"'{path_with_spaces_escaped}' is a directory.")
else:
    print(f"'{path_with_spaces_escaped}' is NOT a directory or does not exist.")