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Lab 4 - Python Scripting

In this lab, you will explore key concepts of Python scripting, focusing on command-line arguments, file I/O operations, and the creation of basic command-line tools. The exercises will help you develop proficiency in writing Python scripts for real-world applications. By completing the tasks in this lab, you will become familiar with essential Python features, including how to pass and process command-line arguments, manipulate files, and implement simple command-line utilities.

Objectives

  1. Read through the following link up to the "Script Lab Assignment Section" [Berkely.edu]
  2. Create a “hello world” python script
  3. Create a python script that takes command line arguments
  4. Create a python script that can read and write to files
  5. Create a python script that mimics the basic functionality of ls
  6. Complete the phonebook assignment from lab 3, but in python

Initial Setup

Ensure you have the correct version of python installed (3.10.X). To complete this lab, you may use all of the features available to you in python. It may be beneficial to use functions in the phonebook assignment to simplify the code.

You do not have to create these scripts with in your VM. Instead, developing them on your personal device. Because this is Python, you may develop this on a device of your choice. I would still recommend doing it inside WSL, on a Mac, or in a lab machine to stay within a UNIX/Linux environment.

Hello World

Filename: helloworld.py
Example: py helloworld.py

Create a python script that prints "Hello World!" when executed.

Command-line Arguments

Filename: cmdlineargs.py
Example: py cmdlineargs.py arg1 arg2 arg3 ...

Create a python script that takes an indeterminate number of command line arguments. Your program should print out how many arguments you passed in, and what they are.

Read and Write to Files

Filename: rwfiles.py
Example: py rwfiles.py /some/path some_text

Create a simple python script that can both read and write files. The script should take a maximum of two arguments - first a file path, then some text. If only the first argument is provided, the script should output the contents of the file at that path. If the second argument is also provided, the script should overwrite the contents of the file with that. Make sure to include a confirmation prompt before overwriting a file.

Filename: pyls.py
Example: py pyls.py /path/to/dir [-f]

Create a python script that mimics some of the functionality of ls. It should take a maximum of two arguments – the first is a path to a directory and the second is an optional -f flag. Without the -f flag, the script should print all the directories and files contained within the supplied path (It should also return an error if the path is not a directory). With the -f flag, the python script should only print files contained within the path, but not directories.

Phonebook Assignment

Filename: phonebook
Visit this link. Reimplement the phonebook script from the previous lab, but in python! It should have all the same capabilities as the bash version!

  • Create a new entry
    • $ py phonebook.py new "Linus Torvalds" 101-110-0111
  • List all entries
    • $ py phonebook.py list
    • > Linus Torvalds 101-110-1010
  • Lookup and entry
    • $ py phonebook.py lookup "Linus Torvalds"
    • > 101-110-0111
    • If the same name has multiple phone numbers, it should print all of them out
  • Remove an entry
    • $ py phonebook.py remove "Linus Torvalds"
    • > 1 record(s) deleted

Deliverables

  • Demonstrate all five of the python scripts functioning as specified to me
  • Submit them all in a ZIP file to the lab drop box on eClass
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