Python - Numbers change when included in a directory string

Question

I have searched online and can't seem to find any other instances of this. Why does 2015 become x815 and how do I remedy this?

>>> os.chdir("N:\PRTR\Weekly Estimate\2015")

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<pyshell#10>", line 1, in <module>
    os.chdir("N:\PRTR\Weekly Estimate\2015")
WindowsError: [Error 2] The system cannot find the file specified: 'N:\\PRTR\\Weekly Estimate\x815'

Answer 1

Actually, in Python, "\" is an escape character in strings, and all special characters are created by a "\" followed by one or more other specific characters. For example, "\n" in a string is a new line character.

As it happens, the "\" followed by three digits indicates a three digit octal character. "\201" happens to correspond the the octal character �, which, to a terminal that can't print it, may come out as the hexadecimal number x81.

To avoid this, make your string a raw string by putting the letter r in front, outside the quotes, like this

print r'N:\PRTR\Weekly Estimate\2105'

The r will make Python interpret the string exactly as you entered it, ignoring all special characters and escape sequences, and you will get the result you want.

Answer 2

Actually \x is the escape sequence that means the next two characters are interpreted as hex digits.

So you will have :

>>> '\2015'
'\x815'

And for get ride of that you need to escape \ :

>>> print '\\2015'
\2015