Writing to a file (python)

gistfile1.py

# This is my preferred way to use print
# and makes my code compatible with future versions
# of python.  More info here:
# http://docs.python.org/2/library/functions.html#print
from __future__ import print_function 

# http://docs.python.org/2/library/functions.html#open
# http://effbot.org/zone/python-with-statement.htm
with open('output.txt', 'w') as file_handle:
    # notice I didn't add a newline at the end, print() does that for you
    print('line', file=file_handle)
    
    
# The "with" statement above isn't necessary, and it's a more advanced style,
# but in my opinion it's a more pythonic style.
# Here's how you'll see it most often, without the "with" statement.
file_handle = open('output.txt', 'w')
print('line', file=file_handle)

# This line isn't exactly necessary, python will usually do it automatically,
# and I usually leave it out, but many people recommend it as one of those
# "safer" things to do.
# The "with" statement above automatically closes the file, so this is unnecessary there.
file_handle.close()