What is a context manager in Python?

Can you explain what a context manager is in Python?

Sure! A context manager in Python is a construct that allows you to allocate and release resources precisely when you want to. It is commonly used with the with statement.

How does the with statement work with context managers?

The with statement simplifies exception handling by encapsulating common preparation and cleanup tasks. When you use with, it automatically calls the context manager's __enter__ method at the start and __exit__ method at the end.

Can you give me an example of a context manager?

Certainly! A common example is opening a file. Using with open('file.txt') as f: ensures the file is properly closed after its suite finishes, even if an error occurs.

What happens if I don't use a context manager when working with files?

If you don't use a context manager, you need to remember to close the file manually. Failing to do so can lead to resource leaks.