read n bytes from a binary file

[sismex01 at hebmex.com]

> From: Rajarshi Guha [mailto:rajarshi at presidency.com]
> Sent: Friday, November 15, 2002 4:32 PM
> 
> Hi,
>   I have a simple question, but I cant seem to find the function to do
> it!
> How can I read N bytes from  a file opened in binary mode. 
> Basically I'm trying to check that a PDF file is indeed a PDF file
> 
> thanks,
>

too simple...

>>> f = file("BTB.zip","rb")
>>> f.read(8)
'PK\x03\x04\x14\x00\x02\x00'
>>> 

HTH!

-gustavo