Python - Created number of nested folders

Question

I am trying to create a number of nested folders in python.

Objective: 1) Ask user for a number (Let us say 3) 2) Create 3 folders. 3) Inside each folder, there should be 3 folders. This nesting should be done 3 times.

Example:

Folder1

Folder1 Folder2 Folder3

Folder1 Folder2 Folder3

Folder1 Folder2 Folder3

Folder2

Folder1 Folder2 Folder3

Folder1 Folder2 Folder3

Folder1 Folder2 Folder3

Folder3

Folder1 Folder2 Folder3

Folder1 Folder2 Folder3

Folder1 Folder2 Folder3

This is my current code:

import os
i = 0
num = 0
while i<17:
    num+=1
    name="Python"+ str(num)
    i+=1

This is only for creating the first set of folders (I have taken 17). Help would be much appreciated.

(I am running Windows)

EDIT:

For a more clearer example : http://s9.postimg.org/sehux992n/20141228_201038.jpg

(Taking 3 as the user input)

From the image, we can see that there are 3 layers.

The user enters can number they like (less than 50, since it is an exponential function). — adb16x
– adb16x, Commented Dec 28, 2014 at 16:08
As in the example, they are to be named like: Folder1, Folder2 ..... — adb16x
– adb16x, Commented Dec 28, 2014 at 16:23

Hugh Bothwell · Accepted Answer · 2014-12-28 15:58:49Z

1

Partial code, feel free to fill in the blanks:

def recursive_make_folders(path, width, depth):
    for i in range(1, width + 1):
        folder_name = make_folder_name(i)
        make_folder(path + folder_name)
        if depth > 1:
            recursive_make_folders(path + folder_name, width, depth - 1)

Keep in mind, this will create width ** depth folders, which can be a very large number, especially as depth increases.

Edit:

where I show path + folder_name, you will need to actually use os.path.join(path, folder_name)
make_folder should become os.mkdir
if you want the code to run in the current directory, you can use "." as the initial path

edited Dec 28, 2014 at 15:58

answered Dec 28, 2014 at 15:45

Hugh Bothwell

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3 Comments

adb16x Over a year ago

While entering the path, Python returns an invalid syntax error. (For the drive letter). Suppose I wanted to create it in the current directory?

adb16x Over a year ago

What is make_folder_name ?

adb16x Over a year ago

I have added a link that better explains the nesting

Padraic Cunningham · Accepted Answer · 2014-12-28 17:06:05Z

1

You cannot have subdirectories with the same names inside the folder. If you want to add input * input directories with different names:

import os

inp = int(raw_input())

folders = [("Folder{}".format(i)) for i in xrange(1,inp+1)]
for dr in xrange(1,inp+1):
    os.makedirs("Folder{}".format(dr))
for fold in folders:
    os.chdir(fold)
    for i in xrange(1, inp*inp+1):
        os.makedirs("Folder{}".format(i))
    os.chdir("..")

Maybe this is closer to what you want:

import os

inp = int(raw_input())

folders = [("Folder{}".format(i)) for i in xrange(1, inp+1)]
for fold in folders:
    os.makedirs(fold)
    os.chdir(fold)
    for fold in folders:
        os.mkdir(fold)
        os.chdir(fold)
        for fold in folders:
            os.mkdir(fold)
        os.chdir("..")
    os.chdir("..")

edited Dec 28, 2014 at 17:06

answered Dec 28, 2014 at 16:37

Padraic Cunningham

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2 Comments

Padraic Cunningham Over a year ago

@WhiteFlameAB, I am a little unsure of your nesting requirement as I said in my comment, can you add a single complete folder tree when the input is 3. Once I can understand exactly what you mean it is just a matter of nesting a for loop

adb16x Over a year ago

I have added a link that better explains the nesting

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