Python os.path.split() Method

1. Syntax of the Python os.path.split() Method
2. Example Codes: Split Path With the os.path.split() Method
3. Example Codes: Split Path Into Steam Head and Tail in the os.path.split() Method
4. Example Codes: Set Path Address as Empty in the os.path.split() Method
5. Example Codes: Unpack the Tuples in the os.path.split() Method

Python os.path.split() method splits a path name to return a tuple head and tail. The folder and directory address can be easily retrieved using this method.

Syntax of the Python os.path.split() Method

os.path.split(path address)

Parameters

Return

This method returns a pair of head and tail of the required directory path.

Example Codes: Split Path With the os.path.split() Method

import os

directory = "/home/user/Desktop/fileName.txt"

head_tail = os.path.split(directory)

print(head_tail)

Output:

('/home/user/Desktop', 'fileName.txt')

os.path.split() is a conglomerate of two separate Python methods os.path.basename(), for returning a file name, and os.path.dirname(), for returning the directory path. The part of the address before the final slash becomes the head, and the end component is the tail.

Example Codes: Split Path Into Steam Head and Tail in the os.path.split() Method

import os

directory = "/home/user/Desktop/fileName.txt"

head_tail = os.path.split(directory)

print("Head of '", directory, ":' {1}".format(head_tail, head_tail[0]))
print("Tail of '", directory, ":' {1}".format(head_tail, head_tail[1]), "\n")

Output:

Head of ' /home/user/Desktop/fileName.txt :' /home/user/Desktop
Tail of ' /home/user/Desktop/fileName.txt :' fileName.txt

os.path.split() returns an array, and respective head and tail can be retrieved element-wise. The first element of the array is the head component, and the tail is stored as the second element.

Example Codes: Set Path Address as Empty in the os.path.split() Method

import os

address = ""

head_tail = os.path.split(address)

print(head_tail)

Output:

('', '')

os.path.split() returns empty strings when an empty path is entered as its parameter.

Example Codes: Unpack the Tuples in the os.path.split() Method

import os

filePath = "/home/user/Desktop/fileName.txt"

directoryName, fileName = os.path.split(filePath)

print(directoryName)
print(fileName)

Output:

/home/user/Desktop
fileName.txt

The return values of os.path.split() can be stored in two variables, for head and tail, respectively.