Python pandas - Does read_csv keep file open?

Question

When using pandas read_csv() method, does it keep the file open or it closes it (discard the file descriptor)?

If it keeps it, how do I close it after I finish using the dataframe?

Answer 1

If you pass it an open file it will keep it open (reading from the current position), if you pass a string then read_csv will open and close the file.

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In python if you open a file but forget to close it, python will close it for you at the end of the function block (during garbage collection).

def foo():     f = open("myfile.csv", "w")     ...     f.close()  # isn't actually needed 

i.e. if you call a python function which opens a file, unless the file object is returned, the file is automagicallymatically closed.

Note: The preferred syntax is the with block (which, as well as closing f at the end of the with block, defines the f variable only inside the with block):

def foo():     with open("myfile.csv", "w") as f:         ...