tell() method to get current position of file pointer in Python

fob.tell()

Returns the current position of the file object.

In text mode file reading ( r )

At the beginning of the file.

fob=open('data1.txt','r')
print(fob.tell()) # 0

Using write mode

After writing data , the object will be at the end.

fob=open('data3.txt','w')
fob.write("Hello")
print(fob.tell()) # 5
fob.close()

We will add offset by using seek()

fob=open('data.txt','r')
fob.seek(5)
print(fob.tell()) # 5

By using the data.txt file given at file read()

fob=open('data.txt','br')
fob.seek(-5,2)
print(fob.tell()) # 76

fob=open('data.txt','r')
print(fob.readline())
print(fob.tell())
fob.close()

Output

This is first line

20

Example 1: Checking Position After Reading a Few Lines

with open('data.txt', 'r') as f:
    f.readline()  # Read first line
    print(f.tell())  # Position after first line
    f.readline()  # Read second line
    print(f.tell())  # Position after second line

Output:

Position after first line
Position after second line

Example 2: Using tell() in Binary Mode

with open('binary_file.bin', 'rb') as f:
    f.read(10)  # Read 10 bytes
    print(f.tell())  # Output: 10

Example 4: Using tell() After Seeking to a Specific Position

with open('example.txt', 'r') as f:
    f.seek(5)  # Move the file pointer to the 5th byte
    print(f.tell())  # Output: 5

Output:

Moving the file position by seek()

File Append File Write

File handling methods list Python- Tutorials

Subhendu Mohapatra

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