Experiment No.
- 08
Aim: To develop Python code that allows the user to perform file handling operations such as reading,
writing, appending, clearing content and deletion.
Software: Python 3.13 as Interpreter and PyCharm as Integrated Development Environment.
Theory: File handling in Python is an essential feature that allows programs to create, store,
manipulate and retrieve data from files on the storage device. Unlike variables, which store data
temporarily in memory during program execution, files provide a means for permanent storage of
information, making data available even after the program ends. This is particularly important for
applications that require maintaining records, such as logs, configurations or structured datasets.
Program:
import math
# Required for trigonometric functions used in distance calculation
# ---------- Sample Fire Station Data ----------
# Each station has a name, latitude, longitude and a list of
available equipment
stations = [
{"name": "Central Fire Station", "lat": 21.1458, "lon": 79.0882,
"equipment": ["Ladder Truck", "Hose", "Foam", "Pump"]},
{"name": "North Station", "lat": 21.1800, "lon": 79.1000,
"equipment": ["Rescue Van", "Pump", "Water Tanker"]},
{"name": "South Station", "lat": 21.1200, "lon": 79.0700,
"equipment": ["Ladder", "Water Tank", "Foam"]},
{"name": "East Station", "lat": 21.1400, "lon": 79.1300,
"equipment": ["Truck", "First Aid", "Ladder"]},
{"name": "West Station", "lat": 21.1350, "lon": 79.0500,
"equipment": ["Hose", "Foam", "Rescue Kit"]}
]
1
Python Programming Lab File Handling
# ---------- Haversine Formula Function ----------
# Calculates the distance between two coordinates using lat/lon
def haversine(lat1, lon1, lat2, lon2):
R = 6371 # Earth’s radius in kilometers
phi1 = math.radians(lat1)
# Convert latitude of point 1 to radians
phi2 = math.radians(lat2)
# Convert latitude of point 2 to radians
d_phi = math.radians(lat2 - lat1)
# Difference in latitude in radians
d_lambda = math.radians(lon2 - lon1)
# Difference in longitude in radians
# Haversine formula
a = math.sin(d_phi / 2)**2 + math.cos(phi1) * math.cos(phi2)
* math.sin(d_lambda / 2)**2
c = 2 * math.atan2(math.sqrt(a), math.sqrt(1 - a))
return R * c # Distance in kilometers
# ---------- Function to Write Station Data to File ----------
def write_station_data(filename):
with open(filename, ’w’) as file:
for s in stations:
# Convert equipment list to semicolon-separated string
eq = ’;’.join(s["equipment"])
# Write one line per station
file.write(f"{s[’name’]},{s[’lat’]},{s[’lon’]},{eq}\n")
print(f"\nFire station data saved to {filename}")
# ---------- Function to Read and Display Station Data ----------
def read_station_data(filename):
try:
Dr. D. K. Singh 2 National Fire Service College, Nagpur
File Handling Python Programming Lab
with open(filename, ’r’) as file:
print("\n--- Fire Station Records ---")
for line in file:
parts = line.strip().split(’,’) # Split line by commas
# Display each station’s data in readable format
print(f"Name: {parts[0]}")
print(f"Lat: {parts[1]}, Lon: {parts[2]}")
print(f"Equipment: {parts[3].replace(’;’, ’, ’)}\n")
except FileNotFoundError:
print("Error: File not found.")
# ---------- Function to Clear/Delete Station File ----------
def delete_station_file(filename):
with open(filename, ’w’) as file:
file.write("") # Overwrite file with empty content
print(f"\n{filename} has been cleared.")
# ---- Function to Find Nearest Fire Station to a Fire Location -------
def find_nearest_station(fire_lat, fire_lon):
nearest = None # Variable to store the nearest station
min_dist = float(’inf’) # Start with very large distance
for s in stations:
# Compute distance to each station
d = haversine(fire_lat, fire_lon, s[’lat’], s[’lon’])
if d < min_dist:
min_dist = d
nearest = s
return nearest, min_dist # Return nearest station and distance
# ---------- Main Menu System ----------
datafile = "fire_station_data.txt"
# File where station data will be stored
National Fire Service College, Nagpur 3 Dr. D. K. Singh
Python Programming Lab File Handling
while True:
# Menu for user interaction
print("\n===== FIRE STATION MENU =====")
print("1. Save Fire Station Data to File")
print("2. Read Fire Station Data from File")
print("3. Find Nearest Fire Station to Fire Location")
print("4. Delete Data File")
print("0. Exit")
choice = input("Enter choice: ")
if choice == ’1’:
# Save predefined station data to file
write_station_data(datafile)
elif choice == ’2’:
# Read and display data from file
read_station_data(datafile)
elif choice == ’3’:
try:
# Ask user for fire location coordinates
lat = float(input("Enter Fire Location Latitude: "))
lon = float(input("Enter Fire Location Longitude: "))
# Get nearest station based on coordinates
nearest, distance = find_nearest_station(lat, lon)
# Display result
print(f"\nNearest Station: {nearest[’name’]}")
print(f"Distance: {distance:.2f} km")
print(f"Available Equipment: {’, ’.join(nearest[’equipment’])
}")
except ValueError:
print("Invalid input. Enter valid coordinates.")
elif choice == ’4’:
Dr. D. K. Singh 4 National Fire Service College, Nagpur
File Handling Python Programming Lab
# Delete or clear file contents
delete_station_file(datafile)
elif choice == ’0’:
# Exit the program
print("Exiting system.")
break
else:
print("Invalid choice. Try again.")
Program Output: File Handling
===== FIRE STATION MENU =====
1. Save Fire Station Data to File
2. Read Fire Station Data from File
3. Find Nearest Fire Station to Fire Location
4. Delete Data File
0. Exit
Enter choice: 1
Fire station data saved to fire_station_data.txt
===== FIRE STATION MENU =====
1. Save Fire Station Data to File
2. Read Fire Station Data from File
3. Find Nearest Fire Station to Fire Location
4. Delete Data File
0. Exit
Enter choice: 2
--- Fire Station Records ---
Name: Central Fire Station
Lat: 21.1458, Lon: 79.0882
National Fire Service College, Nagpur 5 Dr. D. K. Singh
Python Programming Lab File Handling
Equipment: Ladder Truck, Hose, Foam, Pump
Name: North Station
Lat: 21.18, Lon: 79.1
Equipment: Rescue Van, Pump, Water Tanker
Name: South Station
Lat: 21.12, Lon: 79.07
Equipment: Ladder, Water Tank, Foam
Name: East Station
Lat: 21.14, Lon: 79.13
Equipment: Truck, First Aid, Ladder
Name: West Station
Lat: 21.135, Lon: 79.05
Equipment: Hose, Foam, Rescue Kit
===== FIRE STATION MENU =====
1. Save Fire Station Data to File
2. Read Fire Station Data from File
3. Find Nearest Fire Station to Fire Location
4. Delete Data File
0. Exit
Enter choice: 3
Enter Fire Location Latitude: 21.15
Enter Fire Location Longitude: 79.00
Nearest Station: West Station
Distance: 5.45 km
Dr. D. K. Singh 6 National Fire Service College, Nagpur
File Handling Python Programming Lab
Available Equipment: Hose, Foam, Rescue Kit
===== FIRE STATION MENU =====
1. Save Fire Station Data to File
2. Read Fire Station Data from File
3. Find Nearest Fire Station to Fire Location
4. Delete Data File
0. Exit
Enter choice: 0
Exiting system.
National Fire Service College, Nagpur 7 Dr. D. K. Singh
