How to Loop Through Multiple Files in Python and Append Text Based on Unique Strings

A comprehensive guide on how to loop through multiple files and append text to specific lines based on unique identifiers using Python.
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How to Loop Through Multiple Files in Python and Append Text Based on Unique Strings

Managing multiple configuration files can be a daunting task, especially when you need to modify specific lines based on unique identifiers. Python provides a powerful solution for this problem by iterating through files, searching for strings, and modifying the content accordingly. This guide explores how to achieve this using a practical example.

Understanding the Problem

Suppose you have several .ini files, and each file contains a unique string that you want to match with specific input text. Whenever you find a match in a file, you want to append a dedicated string right after a specific line (for example, when the line reads subnetIP=255.255.255.0).

For instance:

You have the following unique strings:

444 maps to text-444

445 maps to text-445

Your goal is to loop through each of these files and append the corresponding string whenever you find a match.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Set Up Your Environment

First, ensure you have Python installed on your machine. You'll also need to import the necessary library to handle file paths.

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2. Create Your Search and Input Lists

Define the unique strings you will search for and their corresponding text to append.

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3. Define the Directory with Files

Specify the directory where all your .ini files are located. The script will search within this directory and its subfolders.

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4. Iterate Through the Files

Use a loop to go through each .ini file. Read the contents of the file into memory.

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5. Match and Modify

For each file, check if any of the search strings are present. If found, locate the specific line where you want to append your text and modify the content.

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6. Write Back the Modified Content

Finally, write the modified list of lines back into the original file.

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Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively loop through multiple files and append desired text based on specific conditions using Python. This approach is versatile and can be customized for various file types and content structures. Now you have a handy tool for managing and altering your configuration files effortlessly!

Using this method can streamline your workflow and ensure you keep your configuration files organized and relevant.

Happy coding!