Refer to dynamic name (a variable name) that is a log file in a Python script

Question

I'd like to create a Python script that creates a log file with a unique name. If possible, I'd like the unique name to include a date-time stamp.

I can create a string with the name that I like (unique with a timestamp):

import os, datetime, copy
lastPart = datetime.datetime.now().strftime('%m/%d/%Y/%s')
logName = 'log' + lastPart + '.txt'
print logName

The above demonstrates how to create a variable with an ideal name of the log.
I want to write to this log file throughout the script. I'll be sending the results of various operations to this log file. Naturally the name of this log file will vary from run to run (given the timestamp). How do I create a file based on a variable name in Python? How do I reference it in my static code on different lines? I want to write to it. I know the >> works in Python.

Hugh Bothwell · Accepted Answer · 2015-01-31 03:23:27Z

2

The name of the file may vary;

that does not mean you need to change the name of the variable that holds the name of the file.

import os, datetime, copy
lastPart = datetime.datetime.now().strftime('%m/%d/%Y/%s')
logName = 'log' + lastPart + '.txt'

log_file = open(logName, "a")   # in append mode

log_file.write("this is a test\n")

answered Jan 31, 2015 at 3:23

Hugh Bothwell

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Jennifer33 · Accepted Answer · 2015-02-03 00:15:18Z

0

Hugh should get credit. Here is the solution (as my version of Linux didn't like the slashes (/) in the file name):

import os, datetime, copy lastPart = datetime.datetime.now().strftime('%m.%d.%Y.%s') logName = 'log' + lastPart + '.txt'

log_file = open(logName, "a") # in append mode

log_file.write("this is a test\n")

answered Feb 3, 2015 at 0:15

Jennifer33

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