The FileHandler class utilizes the context management protocol $($implementing $\_\_$enter$\_\_$ and $\_\_$exit$\_\_$ methods$)$ and presents a robust approach for managing file operations within a large project. The following are reasons why this implementation is favorable compared to using the simpler with open$()$ calls scattered throughout your codebase:

Centralized Exception Handling: The FileHandler class centralizes error handling for file operations. This means any adjustments to how exceptions are handled $($like logging$,$ custom exception raising, or even sophisticated error recovery mechanisms$)$ need to be implemented in just one place. It ensures consistency and reduces code duplication, aligning well with the DRY principle.

Extended Functionality: The class can be easily extended to include additional functionality beyond just opening and closing files. For instance, you might add methods for safe reading and writing, transactional file operations, or even integrated file compression$/$decompression$.$ This extension capability is much harder to achieve with plain with open$()$ calls without repeating similar boilerplate code.

Improved Readability: Using a FileHandler object with a with statement makes the code more descriptive. When other developers see FileHandler $,$ they can look at its implementation to understand precisely how file handling is performed across the project, as opposed to guessing the intent behind each open function call.

Encoding Consistency: By setting a default encoding in the FileHandler class, you ensure consistent handling of file encodings across your application. This is particularly important in a large project where inconsistent encodings can lead to subtle bugs.

Resource Management: Implementing $\_\_$exit$\_\_$ ensures that resources are properly cleaned up$,$ even if an exception is raised within the with block. While with open$()$ also provides this guarantee, using this custom context manager allows you to define additional cleanup actions if necessary.

Flexibility: If in the future, the way files are handled needs to change $($say$,$ moving to cloud storage or a different file system abstraction$),$ you can modify FileHandler without needing to rewrite every file operation across your project.

In summary, while the with open$()$ pattern is concise for small scripts or isolated cases, a large project benefits from the consistency, extensibility, and robust error handling provided by a dedicated file handling class like FileHandler $.$ This approach adheres to the DRY principle, reduces the likelihood of errors, and improves the maintainability of your codebase. When you need to open a file you can do this: