---
title: "Python Binary files: Purpose of the to_bytes Method"
description: "Here are the best examples of writing and reading binary files and explaining to_bytes and from_bytes methods."
url: https://srinimf.com/2023/02/27/python-binary-files-purpose-of-the-to_bytes-method/
date: 2023-02-27
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/26087441461_968375fc77_b.jpg?fit=1024%2C719&ssl=1
categories: ["Python"]
tags: ["Binary Files"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Python Binary files: Purpose of the to_bytes Method

The importance of the to_bytes method is explained here as to why it is required while writing binary files in python and the three arguments – length, byteorder, and signed.

Related[How to Pass Arguments in Python Function](https://srinimf.com/2018/12/31/python-pass-by-value-vs-reference-read-today/)

## Why do you need the to_bytes method?

While dealing with binary data, you’ll need to understand two methods to_bytes and from_bytes. These convert an integer to binary and from binary to an integer.

Related](https://srinimf.com/2016/12/28/visam-file-status-23-simple-solution/)

### [Writing a](https://srinimf.com/2017/04/12/the-best-5-cics-proven-tips-that-unloacked-now/)nd reading binary file

Here are two parts of the code you can find. The first part converts numeric to binary [and write](https://srinimf.com/2023/12/03/reading-and-write-array-data-python-files-challenges/)s to a file. Here, the file name is myfile.b

The second part reads binary data and converts it to an integer.

```
# Python Writing Binary Data
with open("myfile.b", 'wb') as b1:
    a=10
    b=a.to_bytes(2,byteorder='big',signed=True)
    b1.write(b)
   

# Python Reading Binary Data
with open("myfile.b", 'rb') as b2:
    b3=b2.read(2)
    c=int.from_bytes(b3,byteorder='big',signed=True)
    print(c)
```

The output.

```
10

** Process exited - Return Code: 0 **
Press Enter to exit terminal
```

### Purpose of to_bytes and from_bytes

The purpose of to_bytes is to convert integers to binary, and from_bytes is to convert binary data to an integer. Both methods need three arguments: length, byteorder, and signed. [Check](https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html)[](https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html)[out more in Python docs.](https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html)

- For length, valid values are 2, 4, 8, and so on, but the **default is 1.** 
-  For byteorder, valid values are big and little. The** big is** the default value.
- If the *byteorder* is big, the most significant byte is at the beginning of the byte array. If little, the most significant byte is at the end of the byte array.
-  For signed, valid values are True/False. True says minus is present in the input, and the False sign is not there. Here **False** is the default value.
-  The From_bytes method needs the first argument to be binary data.

Related

- [VSAM File status code 23 While Reading[Resolved]](https://srinimf.com/2016/12/28/visam-file-status-23-simple-solution/)DateDecember 28, 2016
- [5 Essential Commands for Navigating Files in UNIX](https://srinimf.com/2014/08/07/unix-daily-5-commands/)DateAugust 7, 2014
- [How to Pass Arguments in Python Function](https://srinimf.com/2018/12/31/python-pass-by-value-vs-reference-read-today/)DateDecember 31, 2018

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