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In this article, we will walk through the evolution of a console-based Python program that searches files on your filesystem. We will start with a simple version, then progressively enhance it by adding persistent interaction, performance timing, and finally the ability to open folders where search results are found.
1. Phase 1 — Basic File Search on the Filesystem
Objective
Create a Python script that searches through a directory and its subdirectories to find files whose name contains a given keyword. The program stops after the first search.
Code
import os
root = input("Search in: ")
name = input("File name: ")
for path, _, files in os.walk(root):
for filename in files:
if name.lower() in filename.lower():
print("Found:", os.path.join(path, filename))
Output Example
Search in: C:\Users\Example\Documents
File name: report
Found: C:\Users\Example\Documents\Work\report_final.pdf
Found: C:\Users\Example\Documents\Notes\meeting_report.txtHow It Works
os.walk(root)iterates over all directories, subdirectories, and files underroot.- Each file is checked to see whether its name contains the user-provided substring.
- The search is case-insensitive.
- The script prints the full path of each matching file.
2. Phase 2 — Repeat Searches Without Restarting the Program
Objective
Modify the program to keep asking for new searches until the user types exit.
Also add:
- the ability to validate paths
- search multiple times
- calculate computation time
Code
import os
import time
while True:
root = input("Search in (or type 'exit' to quit): ").strip()
if root.lower() == "exit":
print("Program terminated.")
break
if not os.path.isdir(root):
print("Invalid path.\n")
continue
name = input("File name (or type 'exit' to quit): ").strip()
if name.lower() == "exit":
print("Program terminated.")
break
start_time = time.time()
found = False
for path, _, files in os.walk(root):
for filename in files:
if name.lower() in filename.lower():
print("Found:", os.path.join(path, filename))
found = True
duration = time.time() - start_time
if not found:
print("No files found.")
print(f"Search completed in {duration:.3f} seconds.\n")
Output Example
Search in (or type 'exit' to quit): C:\Projects
File name (or type 'exit' to quit): config
Found: C:\Projects\App1\config.json
Found: C:\Projects\Library\config_template.ini
Search completed in 0.134 seconds.
Search in (or type 'exit' to quit): exit
Program terminated.How It Works
- The entire search process is wrapped in a
while Trueloop so it repeats. - The user can type
exitat any time to quit. - Invalid directories are handled gracefully.
time.time()is used to measure how long each search takes.
3. Phase 3 — Opening Folders of Search Results
Objective
After performing a search, the program should list all the unique folders where matching files were found. The user can then choose a number from the list to open the folder in the system file explorer.
Code
import os
import time
import subprocess
import platform
def open_folder(path):
system = platform.system()
if system == "Windows":
os.startfile(path)
elif system == "Darwin": # macOS
subprocess.Popen(["open", path])
else: # Linux
subprocess.Popen(["xdg-open", path])
while True:
root = input("Search in (or type 'exit' to quit): ").strip()
if root.lower() == "exit":
print("Program terminated.")
break
if not os.path.isdir(root):
print("Invalid path.\n")
continue
name = input("File name (or type 'exit' to quit): ").strip()
if name.lower() == "exit":
print("Program terminated.")
break
print("\nSearching...")
start_time = time.time()
found_files = []
for path, _, files in os.walk(root):
for filename in files:
if name.lower() in filename.lower():
file_path = os.path.join(path, filename)
found_files.append(file_path)
print("Found:", file_path)
duration = time.time() - start_time
print(f"\nSearch completed in {duration:.3f} seconds.")
if not found_files:
print("No files found.\n")
continue
unique_folders = sorted({os.path.dirname(f) for f in found_files})
while True:
print("\nWould you like to open one of the folders?")
print("Enter the number to open it, or type 'no' to continue.")
for i, folder in enumerate(unique_folders, 1):
print(f"{i}) {folder}")
choice = input("> ").strip()
if choice.lower() == "no":
print("")
break
if choice.isdigit():
index = int(choice)
if 1 <= index <= len(unique_folders):
folder = unique_folders[index - 1]
print(f"Opening: {folder}")
open_folder(folder)
else:
print("Invalid number.")
else:
print("Invalid input.")
Output Example
Searching...
Found: C:\Users\Example\Desktop\todo.txt
Found: C:\Users\Example\Desktop\notes.txt
Search completed in 0.041 seconds.
Would you like to open one of the folders?
Enter the number to open it, or type 'no' to continue.
1) C:\Users\Example\Desktop
> 1
Opening: C:\Users\Example\DesktopHow It Works
- Every found file path is stored in
found_files. - A
setis used to extract unique directories, preventing duplicates. - The program lists folders with numbering.
- The user chooses which folder to open by typing its number.
open_folder()opens folders using OS-appropriate commands:- Windows →
os.startfile() - macOS →
open - Linux →
xdg-open
Conclusion
We progressively transformed a simple filesystem search script into a more robust, interactive tool capable of repeated searches, performance measurement, and folder opening. Each enhancement builds on the previous one, demonstrating how practical Python utilities can evolve step by step.
If you'd like to extend this further, you could add:
- file opening instead of only folder opening,
- counting results per folder,
- exporting results to a CSV,
- or even turning it into a GUI app.
Happy coding!
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