Quick Check: Python File I/O

Review

1. What does open(path, encoding='utf-8') return?

   open() opens the file and returns a file object representing the stream.
2. What does mode w do to an existing file?

   w opens for writing and truncates an existing file before new content is written.
3. Which mode adds new text after existing file contents?

   a opens the file for appending, preserving existing contents.
4. What type of data does binary I/O use for ordinary file contents?

   Binary streams read and write bytes-like data rather than text strings.
5. Why is with open(...) useful?

   The with statement ensures the file is closed when the managed block finishes, including when an exception leaves the block.