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Use Python’s built-in configparser to read and write a sectioned INI-style configuration file. For TOML input, use tomllib on Python 3.11 or later; for JSON, use the standard-library json module. The right choice depends on your file format, Python version, and whether your program needs to write settings back.
Read an INI configuration file with configparser
A configuration file keeps settings outside your Python source code. An INI-style file groups key-value options into sections, which configparser.ConfigParser can read. For example, save this as settings.ini:
[server]
host = localhost
port = 8080Then load it from Python:
import configparser
config = configparser.ConfigParser()
config.read("settings.ini", encoding="utf-8")
host = config["server"]["host"]
port = config["server"].getint("port", fallback=8080)
print(host, port)Here, host is a string and port is converted to an integer. The Python 3.14.8 configparser documentation describes sections, options, and typed accessors.
Choose how to handle missing files
ConfigParser.read() returns the filenames it successfully read and ignores files it cannot open. That makes it suitable for optional configuration locations, but it can conceal a missing required file. If the file must exist, open it and use read_file() so the failure is reported:
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import configparser
config = configparser.ConfigParser()
with open("settings.ini", encoding="utf-8") as file:
config.read_file(file)
host = config["server"]["host"]Convert values to the types your code needs
INI options are read as strings. Use the typed getters when expecting numbers or booleans; invalid text raises a conversion error instead of being silently treated as a valid value.
port = config["server"].getint("port", fallback=8080)
ratio = config["display"].getfloat("scale", fallback=1.0)
enabled = config["feature"].getboolean("enabled", fallback=False)Set fallbacks only where a missing option has a sensible default. If a setting is required, access it without a fallback so a missing option is not mistaken for an intentional default.
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Choose the configuration format
| Format | Standard-library route | Best fit | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| INI-like | configparser |
Sectioned settings; built-in reading and writing | Values are strings until converted; writing does not retain original comments |
| TOML | tomllib |
TOML input, especially when typed values are useful | Available in the standard library from Python 3.11; parses only, with no write support |
| JSON | json |
JSON-shaped data or an existing JSON interface | JSON does not support comments |
These capabilities and format notes are documented by Python’s configparser documentation and tomllib documentation. Prefer the format already used by your application or required by another system. If people edit the file and comments matter, remember that parsing and rewriting with configparser will not preserve those original comments.
Layer defaults and overrides predictably
The special [DEFAULT] section provides options available through other sections. You can also read multiple files into one parser: later files replace conflicting options from earlier files, while non-conflicting earlier options remain.
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import configparser
config = configparser.ConfigParser()
config.read(["settings.ini", "settings.local.ini"], encoding="utf-8")With this ordering, settings.ini supplies the base configuration and settings.local.ini overrides matching values. The second file is optional under read(); use read_file() when a particular file is mandatory. Decide and document the precedence order so it is clear which value wins.
Load TOML in Python
Python’s built-in tomllib parses TOML 1.0.0 and is available starting with Python 3.11. Open TOML input in binary mode and pass the file object to load():
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import tomllib
with open("settings.toml", "rb") as file:
config = tomllib.load(file)
host = config["server"]["host"]
port = config["server"]["port"]Unlike configparser, tomllib does not provide TOML writing. If your program must create or edit TOML, Python’s documentation points to external packages for writing or style-preserving edits; those are not part of the standard library. Limit the amount of TOML data parsed when input may be untrusted, because malicious input can consume substantial CPU and memory. See the Python 3.14.8 tomllib documentation.
Write an INI configuration file
ConfigParser.write() writes the parser’s current configuration to a text file:
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import configparser
config = configparser.ConfigParser()
config["server"] = {"host": "localhost", "port": "8080"}
with open("settings.ini", "w", encoding="utf-8") as file:
config.write(file)Writing parsed settings does not preserve comments from the original configuration file. If retaining a human-edited file’s comments is important, do not assume a parse-and-write cycle will keep them.
Names and interpolation in configparser
Option names are case-insensitive by default and are converted to lowercase internally. If an application depends on case-sensitive option names, change the parser’s optionxform behavior. The default interpolation feature can substitute values from other options; use raw access or disable interpolation when that behavior is not wanted. Treat interpolation as part of the file format your application accepts, particularly when configuration comes from users.
Troubleshoot common configuration problems
- A required file appears to load, but settings are missing:
read()ignores files it cannot open. Useread_file()for required input and confirm the path and permissions. - A setting is missing from a section: Check the section and option spelling. Option names are case-insensitive by default; section names are accessed through their section key.
- A number or boolean causes a conversion error: Verify that the file contains a value accepted by the relevant typed getter, such as
getint()orgetboolean(). - Changing an INI file removes comments: This is expected when writing parsed configuration with
ConfigParser.write(); original comments are not preserved. import tomllibfails: The standard-library module requires Python 3.11 or later. Check the interpreter running the program, not only the version installed on your machine.- You need to write TOML:
tomllibis read-only. Use a suitable external TOML package if writing is required.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use configparser to read more than one INI file?
Yes. Read the files into the same parser in precedence order; later files override conflicting options and earlier non-conflicting options remain.
Does Python’s built-in TOML parser write TOML files?
No. tomllib parses TOML input only; use an external package if you need TOML writing.
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