5 Easy Ways to Save Python Terminal Output to a Text File

⚔️ Challenge: Have you ever run a Python script and wished you could easily save its output to a text file for later review or analysis?

This article provides five simple and efficient methods to redirect your Python script’s terminal output directly into a text file.

Method 1: Redirection in the Command Line

To redirect the output of a Python script to a text file using the command line, simply use the redirection operator > after the Python command. This method is useful when you want to save the output of a script without modifying its code.

python script.py > output.txt

In this example, the script script.py is executed, and instead of displaying its output in the terminal, it is redirected to output.txt. It’s a straightforward and quick way to save output without changing the script.

Method 2: Using the with open Statement in Python

Incorporate file writing directly in your Python script using the with open statement. This is called opening a context manager; you can access the file within the open context. Outside the context manager, the file is closed.

Here’s an example:

with open('output.txt', 'w') as f:
    print("Here's a joke: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!", file=f)

This code opens output.txt in write mode ('w') and then uses the print function to write a joke into the file. This method is ideal for scripts where you have specific outputs to capture.

Method 3: Using the sys.stdout Approach

Redirect the standard output to a file using Python’s sys module. This is useful for scripts where you want all outputs to be automatically saved to a file.

import sys
sys.stdout = open('output.txt', 'w')
print("Fun Fact: A group of flamingos is called a 'flamboyance'.")
sys.stdout.close()

Here, sys.stdout is set to a file object, meaning all print statements will go to output.txt instead of the console. Once done, sys.stdout is closed to end the redirection.

Method 4: Using Contextlib’s redirect_stdout

Utilize Python’s contextlib module for a more sophisticated and error-proof method of redirecting stdout to a file.

from contextlib import redirect_stdout

with open('output.txt', 'w') as f:
    with redirect_stdout(f):
        print("Did you know? Honey never spoils. Archaeologists have found pots of honey in ancient Egyptian tombs that are over 3000 years old!")

This approach uses a context manager to temporarily redirect stdout to output.txt. It’s an elegant and error-proof method, especially for scripts with multiple output statements.

Method 5: Appending to a File

To add new content to an existing file without overwriting it, use the append mode ('a') in the open function.

with open('output.txt', 'a') as f:
    print("Here's a tip: If you're cold, go stand in a corner. It's usually 90 degrees!", file=f)

This method is perfect when you want to add more content to a file over time, like logging information over multiple scripts runs.

Comparison

Keep it simple. I’d use the first method. Here’s a more detailed comparison of the methods:

Command Line Redirection:
- Pros: Simple, no script modification needed.
- Cons: Limited control over what gets written.
with open Statement:
- Pros: High control within the script, easy to use.
- Cons: Requires script modification.
sys.stdout Approach:
- Pros: Redirects all output, good for scripts with many print statements.
- Cons: Can be disruptive if not managed properly.
redirect_stdout with Contextlib:
- Pros: Elegant, error-proof, good for selective redirection.
- Cons: Requires understanding of context managers.
Appending to a File:
- Pros: Ideal for adding to existing files, like logs.
- Cons: Not suitable for overwriting or creating new files.

👉 Recommended: How to Print the Content of a .txt File in Python?