In Python, the open() function will open the file and the read() method is used to read the content of the file.

file = open("myfile.txt", "r")
print(file.read())

Output:

Hello World! #the full contents of myfile.txt will appear here

The with statement can also be used to open and read a file.

with open("myfile.txt", "r") as file:
    print(file.read())

Output:

Hello World! #the full contents of myfile.txt will appear here

It is a good practice to close the file when you are done with it.

file = open("myfile.txt", "r")
print(file.readline())

file.close()

Output:

Hello World!

By default the read() method returns the contents of the entire file. But it can also be specified how many characters should be returned.

with open("myfile.txt", "r") as file:
    print(filer.read(5))

Output:

Hello

The readline() method can be used to read a file one line at a time when necessary

with open("myfile.txt") as file:
    print(file.readline())

Output:

Hello World!

To read multiple lines, use the readline() method multiple times.

with open("myfile.txt") as file:
    print(file.readline())
    print(file.readline())

Output:

Hello World!
Have a wonderful day.

By looping through the lines of the file, the entire file can be read line by line.

with open("myfile.txt") as file:
    for x in file:
        print(x)

Output:

Hello World!
Have a wonderful day.
And thanks for checking out "Python - Reading Files".

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