Permissions or mutable objects... Read only file contents template to write only?

[Hans Nowak]

Gavin Tomlins wrote:

> #open files for various operations
> fileHdr = open(cTemplateHdr, "r")
> fileFooter = open(cTemplateFooter, "r')
> fileOutput = open(cOutput, "w")
> 
> cTempStr = ""
> cTempStr = fileHdr.readlines()
> 
> fileOutput.write(cTempStr)
> 
> at this point I am presented with a type error indicating that I'm trying to
> write a 'read buffer'.

fileHdr.readlines() returns a list. So, you are trying to write a list
of strings to fileOutput, while the .write method wants a string.

You can loop over the list, writing it line by line:

    for line in cTempStr:
        fileOutput.write(line)

or use the .writelines method:

    fileOutput.writelines(cTempStr)

Maybe you wanted to read only one line from the input file; in that case
you can use the .readline method.

> What is the process for rectifying this problem. Any assistance, reference
> would be greatly appreciated. I've searched the Python documentation but was
> unable to find appropriate documentation. If possible, could people cite the
> reference for my understanding. I can only put it down to lack of comprehension
> or poor choice of search criteria on my behalf.

See the Python library reference, 2.1.7.9.

HTH,