How does 'a+' mode differ from 'a' mode?

The 'a+' mode opens a file for both appending and reading. When a file is opened in this mode, the file pointer is placed at the end of the file for writing, allowing content to be added without deleting existing data. This mode also enables reading from the file, regardless of where the data is written.

In contrast, the 'a' mode strictly allows writing to the end of the file only, without the ability to read from it. The 'a+' mode combines these functionalities, providing flexibility for both accessing and modifying the file’s content.

This distinction is particularly useful when you need to add new data to a file while retaining the ability to access the current contents of that file simultaneously.