Overwriting shapefile using ArcPy?

Question

I want to be able to overwrite a shapefile if it exists. I think my code needs some tweaking. I am using v10. I am able to delete the actual .shp file but the .dbf, .shx, etc still remain, so if I try to overwrite again, I get an error.

How can I remove all the files associated with the shapefile?

DoesItExist = True
geometry_type = "POLYGON"
print "Your shapefile is being generated."
out_path = raw_input("Enter in path to save shape file: ")
out_name = raw_input("Enter in name of shape file: ")
while DoesItExist == True: 
 if (os.path.exists(os.path.join(out_path, out_name))):
 print "This file already exists. Do you wish to overwrite it?"
 choice = raw_input("Y/N:")
 if (choice == 'Y' or choice == 'y'):
 print "File will be over written"
 os.remove(os.path.join(out_path, out_name))
 #arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management(out_path, out_name, geometry_type)
 DoesItExist = False
 else:
 print "Choose new file name/location!"
 out_path = raw_input("Enter in file path: ")
 out_name = raw_input("Enter in file name: ")
else:
 print "Shapefile created in: " + str(os.path.join(out_path, out_name))
 arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management(out_path, out_name, geometry_type)
 DoesItExist = False

• user2856: You can use arcpy.Delete_management(shapefile)

Answer 1

You shouldn't have to delete the shapefile. Just add the following lines to your script:

import arcpy
arcpy.env.overwriteOutput = True

That will allow arcpy.CreateFeatureclass_management to overwrite the existing shapefile with all of its associated files (dbf, shx, prj etc.).

Answer 2

There is also the exists function instead of using os. Remember to import env.

import arcpy
from arcpy import env
env.workspace = "d:/myfolder"
fc = "roads.shp"
#Delete feature class if it exists
if arcpy.Exists(fc):
 arcpy.Delete_management(fc)

• Cyrus: Thanks awesomo for the reminder to import env. I'll update my answer.
• user1898629: oh wow...thanks so much. My error was in forgetting to include/import env. smh@self. Thanks again!
• PolyGeo: There's no need to import env specifically. Just use arcpy.env.workspace = "d:/myfolder" after import arcpy.