Reading text files
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can open and read data from a text file in a program.
Key learning points
- A file is a term used to describe data that is held in storage on a computer.
- File-handling is a term used to describe how programs work with the files that are stored in a computer.
- Different file-handling modes allow you to perform different operations on the contents of a file.
- Saving program data to an external file allows the data to be reused when the program runs again.
Keywords
File - a collection of data stored digitally, identified by a name
File-handling - an operation that is specified within a command to open a file, that determines how a file can be used
Strip() - a Python method which removes any leading and trailing whitespaces or characters that you specify
Common misconception
A text file can be stored anywhere to be used in a program using just the file name.
A text file must be stored in the same location as a program to be used to be accessed by file name alone. If it is stored elsewhere, the full path of the file will also need to be included.
Teacher tip
If pupils are using The Raspberry Pi Code Editor they need to have text files included in the project in order to be able to use them. The sample code files already include text files for pupils to use.
Equipment
Pupils will need access to a device that can edit and run Python programs. Examples in this lesson use the RPF Code Editor https://oak.link/python-editor
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What type of brackets are used to define a dictionary in Python?
Q2.What type of brackets are used to define a list in Python?
Q3.What is an attribute in a record?
Q4.List items are separated by in Python.
Q5.What will be the output of this code?
12player = { "username" : "rockstar", "password" : "6goatsEating", "score" : 5328 }
print(player["score"])Code colour
Q6.What will be the output of this code?
123my_list = [3, 6, 9, 12]
my_list.append(15)
print(my_list)Code colour
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The method used to remove extra spaces or new lines from the beginning and end of a string in Python is called .
Q2.Opening a file in write (w) mode will...
Q3.Which of the following correctly opens a file named "data.txt" in read mode?
Q4.Once you have finished working with a file, you should always it to free up system resources.
Q5.Which method reads an entire file and returns it as a string?
Q6.Using readline() will...
To help you plan your 11 computer science lesson on: Reading text files, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 computer science lesson on: Reading text files, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 computer science lessons from the Programming: dictionaries and data files unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.