How do I move a file in Python?

To move a file or directory in Python, you can use the shutil.move() function from the shutil module. This method handles both file and directory relocation, works across different filesystems, and allows renaming during the move. Below are detailed examples and explanations:

1. Basic File Move

Move a file from one directory to another:

import shutil

# Define source and destination paths
source = "path/to/source/file.txt"
destination = "path/to/destination/folder/"

# Move the file (preserves filename)
shutil.move(source, destination)

Result:
file.txt is moved to destination/folder/.

2. Move and Rename a File

Change the filename during the move:

import shutil

source = "data/old_name.csv"
destination = "archive/new_name.csv"  # New name specified

shutil.move(source, destination)

Result:
File is moved to archive/ and renamed to new_name.csv.

3. Move a Directory

Move an entire directory (including subdirectories and files):

import shutil

source_dir = "project/logs/"
destination_dir = "backup/old_logs/"

shutil.move(source_dir, destination_dir)

Result:
The logs/ directory is moved to backup/old_logs/.

4. Error Handling

Gracefully handle missing files or permissions:

import shutil

source = "missing_file.txt"
destination = "destination/"

try:
    shutil.move(source, destination)
except FileNotFoundError:
    print(f"Error: {source} does not exist.")
except PermissionError:
    print("Permission denied for the operation.")

5. Move Multiple Files

Use a loop to move all .txt files from one directory to another:

import os
import shutil

source_folder = "source/"
destination_folder = "destination/"

# Create destination if it doesn't exist
os.makedirs(destination_folder, exist_ok=True)

# Move all .txt files
for file in os.listdir(source_folder):
    if file.endswith(".txt"):
        src = os.path.join(source_folder, file)
        dest = os.path.join(destination_folder, file)
        shutil.move(src, dest)

6. Move Files Across Filesystems

shutil.move() automatically handles cross-device moves by copying and then deleting the source:

import shutil

# Source and destination on different drives
source = "/mnt/usb/file.doc"
destination = "/home/user/documents/"

shutil.move(source, destination)  # Works seamlessly

7. Overwrite Existing Files

By default, shutil.move() overwrites existing files in the destination. To avoid this, check first:

import os
import shutil

source = "report.pdf"
destination = "reports/report.pdf"

if not os.path.exists(destination):
    shutil.move(source, destination)
else:
    print(f"{destination} already exists. Skipping move.")

8. Preserve Metadata

Metadata (e.g., timestamps) is preserved when moving within the same filesystem. For cross-device moves, shutil.copy2() is used internally to retain metadata:

import shutil

source = "image.jpg"
destination = "photos/image.jpg"

shutil.move(source, destination)  # Metadata preserved

Key Notes

Cross-Platform Compatibility: shutil.move() works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Symbolic Links: Moves the link itself, not the target (use shutil.copy() to follow links).
Performance: In-place moves (same filesystem) are faster than cross-device moves (copy + delete).

Summary of Methods

Method	Use Case
`shutil.move(src, dst)`	General-purpose file/directory relocation.
`os.rename(src, dst)`	Rename/move within the same filesystem (no cross-device support).

By using shutil.move(), you ensure robust file and directory movement in Python across diverse scenarios.