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Os.path.join

As explained in The Quick Python Book, Fourth Edition

os.path.join is a Python standard-library function that combines pathname components using the conventions of the current operating system.

os.path.join combines directory and filename components into one pathname using the conventions of the current operating system. Importing os is sufficient; no separate os.path import is required. section 12.2.4

Use it to build paths without writing operating-system-specific separators:

  • Pass existing subpaths as components; the function joins them into a longer pathname. section 12.2.4

The same construction across systems

path1 = os.path.join('mydir', 'bin') path2 = os.path.join('utils', 'disktools', 'chkdisk') os.path.join(path1, path2) On Windows, the result uses backslashes; on Linux, it uses forward slashes.

How The Quick Python Book, Fourth Edition covers it

How deep it goes
Explains component joining, nested subpaths, and platform separators through compact examples.
Examples
Demonstrates simple components, nested subpaths, platform-specific output, and a filename passed to open.
What it assumes
Assumes familiarity with file and directory pathnames while teaching construction without operating-system-specific syntax.
What you can do after
Apply it via Python's os module to construct portable paths and pass them to file operations.
How it connects
Connects pathname construction with relative paths, absolute paths, file objects, and os.path utilities.
Cover of The Quick Python Book, Fourth Edition
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