Python | os.supports_follow_symlinks object

Last Updated : 12 Jul, 2025
OS module in Python provides functions for interacting with the operating system. OS comes under Python’s standard utility modules. This module provides a portable way of using operating system dependent functionality. Some method in OS module permit the use of their follow_symlinks parameter. As different platforms provide different functionality, follow_symlinks parameter might be supported on one platform but not supported on another. os.supports_follow_symlinks in Python is a set object which indicates which methods in the OS module permit the use of their follow_symlinks parameter Whether a particular method permits the use of their follow_symlinks parameter or not, can be checked using in operator on os.supports_follow_symlinks . For example: Below expression checks whether os.stat() method permits the use of their follow_symlinks parameter or not when called on your local platform.
os.stat in os.supports_follow_symlinks
Syntax: os.supports_follow_symlinks Parameter: This is a non callable set object. Hence, no parameter is required. Return Type: This method returns a set object which represents the methods in the OS module, which permits the use of their follow_symlinks parameter.
Code #1: Use of os.supports_follow_symlinks object Python3
# Python program to explain os.supports_follow_symlinks object  

# importing os module 
import os


# Get the list of all methods
# which permits the use of their
# follow_symlinks parameter
methodList = os.supports_follow_symlinks

# Print the list
print(methodList)
Output:
{<built-in function stat>, <built-in function chown>,
<built-in function link>, <built-in function access>, 
<built-in function utime>}
Code #2: Use of os.supports_follow_symlinks object to check if a particular method permits the use of their follow_symlinks parameter or not. Python3
# Python program to explain os.supports_follow_symlinks object  

# importing os module 
import os


# Check whether os.stat() method
# permits the use of their 
# follow_symlinks parameter or not
support = os.stat in os.supports_follow_symlinks

# Print result
print(support)


# Check whether os.fwalk() method
# permits the use of their
# follow_symlinks parameter or not
support = os.fwalk in os.supports_follow_symlinks

# Print result
print(support)
Output:
True
False
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