how to format output file in python?

Question

I am trying to format my output file exactly like my input file. I was wondering if anyone could give me some pointers. My codes are:

input_file=open('abcd.txt','r')

f1=input('file name: ')

output_file=open(f1,'w')
for line in input_file:
    output_file.write(line)

input_file.close()
output_file.close()

My input file looks like the following. Where country is 50 chars long, second category is 6 chars, third is 3 chars, fourt is 25 chars, and year is 4 chars long. The following is the inputfile.

Afghanistan                                        WB_LI   68 Eastern Mediterranean     2012
Albania                                            WB_LMI  90 Europe                      1980
Albania                                            WB_LMI  90 Europe                    1981

The following is how my output file looks like:

Afghanistan                                        WB_LI   68 Eastern Mediterranean     2012
Albania                                           WB_LMI  90 Europe                    1980
Albania                                           WB_LMI  90 Europe                    1981

You are writing each line from input_file to f1 exactly as read. What exactly is the problem? — Martijn Pieters
– Martijn Pieters, Commented Feb 22, 2014 at 18:37
Yes, sorry. I was copying and pasting from a bigger file and forgot to change the variable. — user3260982
– user3260982, Commented Feb 22, 2014 at 18:37
If you're getting all your output in one line, maybe you should try adding a line break ("\n") after each line you print. — kirbuchi
– kirbuchi, Commented Feb 22, 2014 at 18:38
What exactly is your problem, it looks like input and output are identical and that is what you want, isn't it? Please provide more details on the issue — schacki
– schacki, Commented Feb 22, 2014 at 18:53
For some reason, when I am pasting my output file and input file in here, they are looking identical. But, on my computer screen, they are not looking like they are identically aligned. — user3260982
– user3260982, Commented Feb 22, 2014 at 19:01

Maciej Gol · Accepted Answer · 2014-02-23 09:26:33Z

2

Use string formatting, mainly {:-x} where x denotes the minimal length of the string (filled with whitespace) and - denotes to left-align the contents:

output_file.write('{:-50} {:-6} {:-3} {:-25} {:-4}\n'.format(country, category, third, fourth, year))

edited Feb 23, 2014 at 9:26

answered Feb 22, 2014 at 18:37

Maciej Gol

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