Open a Python File in Notepad++ from a Program

Question

I am trying to replicate IDLE's alt + m command (open a module in the sys path) in Notepad++. I like Notepad++ for editing (rather than IDLE), but this is one feature I cannot find.

When alt+m is pressed, I want it to run a program that asks for a module (that's fairly straightforward, so I can do that). My problem is finding the module and then opening it in Notepad++, not simply running the program. In addition, I want it to open in the same instance (same window) in Notepad++, not a new instance.

I've tried this:

import os
f = r"D:\my_stuff\Google Drive\Modules\nums.py"
os.startfile(f, 'notepad++.exe')

However, I get this error:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File '_filePath_', line 3, in <module>
    os.startfile(f, 'notepad++.exe')
OSError: [WinError 1155] No application is associated with the specified file for this operation: 'D:\\my_stuff\\Google Drive\\Modules\\nums.py'

How can I fix this?

Also, given a string, such as 'nums.py', how can I find the full path of it? It's going to be in one of two folders: 'D:\\my_stuff\\Google Drive\\Modules' or 'C:\\Python27\Lib' (it could also be in various subfolders in the 'Lib' folder). Alternatively, I could simply do:

try:
    fullPath = r'D:\\my_stuff\\Google Drive\\Modules\\' + f
    # method of opening file in Notepad++
except (IOError, FileNotFoundError):
    fullPath = r'C:\\Python27\\Lib\\' + f
    # open in Notepad++

This doesn't account for subfolders and seems rather clunky. Thanks!

Rushy Panchal · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-16 15:34:31Z

6

If your .py files will be associated w/ notepad++ the os.startfile(f, 'notepad++.exe') will work for you (see ftype).

Unless, you would like to create this association , the following code will open notepad ++ for you:

import subprocess
subprocess.call([r"c:\Program ...Notepad++.exe", r"D:\my_stuff\Google Drive\Modules\nums.py"])

Reference: subprocess.call()

edited Mar 16, 2013 at 15:34

Rushy Panchal

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answered Mar 16, 2013 at 15:23

Shmil The Cat

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7 Comments

Rushy Panchal Over a year ago

Thanks! I needed the second one because I am opening Python (.py) files from another Python program. Also, I added a link to the subprocess module.

Rushy Panchal Over a year ago

Also, do you know how to find the full file path of a file solely given the file name?

Shmil The Cat Over a year ago

os.path.abspath(path) docs.python.org/2/library/os.path.html but please bear in mind that truly solely paths couldn't be resolved , there is no way Python runtime could deduce the full path of foo.txt if its located in several folders

Rushy Panchal Over a year ago

I tried doing f = r"nums.py" and then p = os.path.abspath(f); printing p results in: 'C:\\Python33\\nums.py', which isn't the actual path of my module (it's in 'my_stuff\Google Drive\Modules\nums.py')...

Shmil The Cat Over a year ago

You can always search the folders along sys.path or append to it your directories of chice

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