python / python/cpython

unexpected behavior of pathlib with empty string

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#140,971 5 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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docs topic-pathlib
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Bug report

Bug description:

While os.path.exists("") correctly returns False, the same input with Path("").exists() returns True.

>>> from pathlib import Path
>>> import os
>>> Path("").exists()
True
>>> os.path.exists("")
False
>>>
CPython versions tested on:

3.13

Operating systems tested on:

Linux

Linked PRs
  • gh-140993
  • gh-157293

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Research direction

Reproduce the pathlib and os.path.exists examples on Python 3.13/Linux, then inspect pathlib's empty-path handling and its related tests. Review linked PRs gh-140993 and gh-157293 before starting; done means the discrepancy has a confirmed expected behavior and corresponding regression coverage.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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