Python os.removedirs() Method

1. Syntax of the os.removedirs() Method
2. Example Codes: Working With the os.removedirs() Method in Python
3. Example Codes: Handle Errors While Using the os.removedirs() Method in Python

Python os.removedirs() method is an efficient way of removing empty directories recursively. If the leaf directory is removed successfully, then the os.removedirs() method tries to remove every parent directory in the path until an error occurs.

Syntax of the os.removedirs() Method

os.removedirs(path address)

Parameters

Return

In the execution process, this method does not return any value.

Example Codes: Working With the os.removedirs() Method in Python

import os

leaf = "File"

parent = "C:/Users/786/Documents"

directory = os.path.join(parent, leaf)

os.removedirs(directory)

print("The following directory '%s' has been removed." % directory)

Output:

The following directory 'C:/Users/786/Documents\File' has been removed.

The os.removedirs() method will work only if the directory to be deleted is empty.

Example Codes: Handle Errors While Using the os.removedirs() Method in Python

import os

fd = os.open("File.txt", os.O_RDWR | os.O_CREAT)

path_address = "/home/File.txt"

try:
    os.removedirs(path_address)

    print("The directory has been removed successfully")

except NotADirectoryError:

    print("The symlink is not a directory.")

except PermissionError:

    print("The permission has been denied.")

except OSError as error:

    print(error)

    print("The directory can not be removed.")

Output:

The symlink is not a directory.

A few errors might occur while using this method. The above error appears most often, and it is due to an invalid or non-existing directory.

If you don’t have the required access to remove a directory, then a PermissionError is thrown.