Python Program to Read a Random Line from a File

Files in Python:

One of the most important subjects for programmers and automation testers is Python file handling (also known as File I/O). It is necessary to work with files in order to write to or read data from them.

Also, if you didn’t know, I/O operations are the most expensive processes where a programme can go wrong. As a result, you must use extreme caution while implementing file processing for reporting or any other reason. Optimizing a single file action can help in the creation of a high-performing application or a reliable automated software testing solution.

Consider the following scenario: you’re planning to construct a large Python project with a large number of workflows. Then it’s unavoidable that you don’t make a log file. You’ll also be handling the log file’s read and write activities. Debugging huge applications with log files is a terrific way to go. It’s usually better to consider a scalable design from the start, as you won’t be sorry later if you didn’t.

Given a file, the task is to read a random line from the given File in Python

Program to Read a Random Line from a File in Python

Below is the full approach for reading a random line from the given File in Python

Approach:

  • Import random module using the import keyword
  • Make a single variable to store the path of the file. This is a constant value. This value must be replaced with the file path from your own system in the example below.
  • Open the file in read-only mode. In this case, we’re simply reading the contents of the file.
  • Get all the lines of the file using the read(), splitlines() functions and store it in a variable.
  • Print a random line from the given file using the random.choice() function by passing the above lines as an argument to it.
  • The Exit of Program.

Below is the implementation:

# Import random module using the import keyword
import random
# Make a single variable to store the path of the file. This is a constant value.
# This value must be replaced with the file path from your own system in the example below.
givenFilename = "samplefile.txt"
# Open the file in read-only mode. In this case, we're simply reading the contents of the file.
with open(givenFilename, 'r') as givenfilecontent:
    # Get all the lines of the file using the read(), splitlines() functions and 
    # Store it in a variable
    file_lines = givenfilecontent.read().splitlines()
    # Print a random line from the given file using the random.choice() function
    # by passing the above lines as an argument to it
    print(random.choice(file_lines))

Output:

btechgeeks

File Content:

hello
thisis 
btechgeeks
welcomeall

Explanation:

  • The file path is stored in the variable ‘file name.’ Change the value of this variable to the path of your own file.
  • Dragging and dropping a file onto the terminal will show its path. The code will not run unless you change the value of this variable.
  • The file will be opened in reading mode. Use the open() function to open a file. The path to the file is the method’s first parameter, and the mode to open the file is the method’s second parameter.
  • When we open the file, we use the character ‘r’ to signify read-mode.
  • We use random.choice() method to select random line from list of lines.

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Files and Code: