Running command lines in python

Question

I'm having troubles running commands lines in python. I'm currently using

os.system("cd " + path)
os.system(command)

However, os.system opens a new console each time.

What class should i use for it to work ? How can I intercept the output ?

Thanks !

There was no 1.7. I remember the 1.6->2.0 conversion like it was just yesterday and the entire dotcom economy was collapsing and I had lots of time to sit around at home reading PEPs. Maybe you mean 2.7? — abarnert
– abarnert, Commented Jan 5, 2013 at 0:14

Ian Atkin · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-04 23:49:09Z

8

from subprocess import call
call(["ls", "-l"])

The advantage of subprocess versus system is that it is more flexible. You can get the stdout, stderr, the "real" status code, better error handling, etc.

Also, check out the Python docs.

answered Jan 4, 2013 at 23:49

Ian Atkin

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6 Comments

Greed Over a year ago

call(["cd", "C:\Users\Greed"], shell=True) with call(["C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\\v3.5\csc.exe", "/optimize", "/out:Main.exe", "C:\Users\Greed\Documents\Visual Studio 2010\Projects\Ref\Ref\Program.cs"]) seems to not work ?

abarnert Over a year ago

@Greed: Each call with shell=True is running in its own shell. Doing a cd there is just going to change that shell's current directory; it won't affect the next one. If you want to actually change the current directory for the Python script, and everything else it launches, use os.chdir instead. Then the call should work. (If not, explain what it does wrong instead of just saying it "seems to not work".)

abarnert Over a year ago

@IanAtkin: It's not even an old version, it's a version that never existed, or was even contemplated. So clearly, the OP is from a different universe. Possibly one where Guido has no beard!

Ian Atkin Over a year ago

Wow, you're right. I Google'd it and didn't notice I was looking at Python Paste 1.7.5. BTW: Guido's beard is a fake that he only uses at Py Conventions.

abarnert Over a year ago

@IanAtkin: Hmmm… I just read that on the internet, so it must be true. Which means in the OP's universe, Guido has a real beard that he only covers up at Py Conventions?

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Daniel · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-04 23:59:05Z

1

To fix the above:

os.chdir(path)
os.system(command)

To capture data I would look into subprocess: http://docs.python.org/2/library/subprocess.html

Since you are using python 1.7:

output=os.popen(command,"r").readlines()

edited Jan 4, 2013 at 23:59

answered Jan 4, 2013 at 23:49

Daniel

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1 Comment

abarnert Over a year ago

There is no python 1.7. And before 2.0, os.popen was broken on Windows.

null · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-05 03:52:43Z

0

I always use os.chdir("dirname") This function can work just like the cd function, so you can do both os.chdir("dir_thats_right_here") and os.chdir("/dir/thats/far/away")

answered Jan 5, 2013 at 3:52

null

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