How To Get Dbfs Path In Databricks

Accessing DBFS Paths in Databricks

To access files on the Databricks File System (DBFS), you need to specify the correct path depending on the tool or language you are using. In Databricks, DBFS paths can be accessed using either the dbfs:/ prefix or the /dbfs prefix, depending on the context.

dbfs:/ is typically used in Spark commands and when working with DBUtils. For example, in Spark, you would use spark.read.parquet("dbfs:/mnt/test_folder/test_folder1/file.parquet"). Similarly, with DBUtils, you would use dbutils.fs.ls("dbfs:/mnt/test_folder/test_folder1/").

On the other hand, when working with Python code that defaults to the local file system, you would use the /dbfs prefix. For instance, to list files in a directory using Python’s os module, you would use os.listdir("/dbfs/mnt/test_folder/test_folder1/").

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How do I enable the DBFS File Browser in Databricks?

  A: To enable the DBFS File Browser, navigate to the Admin Console → Workspace Settings → DBFS File Browser and toggle the option on. Refresh your workspace to apply the changes.

• Q: Can I use shell commands to access DBFS?

  A: Yes, you can use shell commands to access DBFS, but you need to use the /dbfs prefix. For example, to list files in a directory, use ls /dbfs/mnt/test_folder/test_folder1/.

• Q: How do I copy files from the local file system to DBFS?

  A: You can use dbutils.fs.cp("file:/tmp/my_file.txt", "dbfs:/FileStore/") to copy files from the local file system to DBFS.

• Q: Can I use Markdown in Databricks notebooks?

  A: Yes, Databricks notebooks support Markdown. You can create a Markdown cell using the %md magic command.

• Q: How do I display HTML content in a Databricks notebook?

  A: You can use the displayHTML function to display HTML content in a Databricks notebook.

• Q: What is the difference between dbfs:/ and /dbfs?

  A: Both dbfs:/ and /dbfs refer to DBFS, but dbfs:/ is used in Spark and DBUtils commands, while /dbfs is used in contexts where the default file system is the local file system.

• Q: Can I view files created by Databricks Jobs in the UI?

  A: Yes, but the files must be written to DBFS. You can enable the DBFS File Browser to view these files in the Databricks UI.

Bottom Line

Accessing DBFS paths in Databricks requires understanding the context-specific prefixes and tools you are using. Whether you’re working with Spark, DBUtils, or Python, ensuring the correct path format is crucial for successful file operations.

👉 Hop on a short call to discover how Fog Solutions helps navigate your sea of data and lights a clear path to grow your business.