📂 Understanding Python File Modes

When opening a file, the mode determines what you're allowed to do.

Mode Meaning
r 👉 Read only
w 👉 Write (overwrites existing file)
a 👉 Append to the end
x 👉 Create a new file
rb 👉 Read binary files
wb 👉 Write binary files
r+ 👉 Read and write

👉 Using the wrong mode is one of the easiest ways to accidentally erase a file.