Have I understood this?

Question

Can anyone tell me if I'm on the right page?
Ok so I want to create a new file, I want to name the file "database.txt". 
def remember(x): # This is my function
file = open("database.txt", "a") 
I understand that OPEN is the function that creates the file, and "a" basically puts it into append mode, allowing whatever is writtin (the function below) to be be appended to my file called "database.txt"
file.write(x+"
")
pass
What I dont understand that in workspaces, the variable "file" turns grey when you write it out, almost like it is a special keyword? Whats the word "file" have some importance that I am missing?

John Lack-Wilson · Accepted Answer

Nearly correct, file is not a keyword, but is instead a builtin. 
Here's a link (https://docs.python.org/2/library/functions.html#file) to the file builtin. As @Steven Parker (https://teamtreehouse.com/stevenparker) says it would be useful to make a snapshot of your workspace so we can see exactly the issue. However, I would recommend renaming your variable to something other than file. 
Some people use fp as the variable for a file, standing for file pointer.

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Youssef Moustahib

Youssef Moustahib

Have I understood this?

I understand that OPEN is the function that creates the file, and "a" basically puts it into append mode, allowing whatever is writtin (the function below) to be be appended to my file called "database.txt"

Steven Parker

Steven Parker

1 Answer

John Lack-Wilson

John Lack-Wilson