Execute another python script, then shut down current script

Question

I have a python script script_a.py that uses subprocess.call() that executes another script script_b.py as it's last instruction before ending. I need script_b.py to wait until script_a.py closes before proceeding with its own instructions. For this I am using a while loop within script_b.py. How can I do this? All of my current solutions I have tried have script_a.py waiting until script_b.py is finished before it closes itself. I have a feeling this might involve atexit() or something similar, but I am lost.

Many thanks!

it sounds like you are using the wrong construct ... I think you want os.exec* instead of subprocess ... — Joran Beasley
– Joran Beasley, Commented Jul 21, 2016 at 16:35
Got it. In the event that script_b.py has everything it needs to run defined within itself, then what am I expected to pass in the list of args that the exec* functions force me to pass? — KidMcC
– KidMcC, Commented Jul 21, 2016 at 16:52
you can probably just pass the ["python","script_b.py"] ... its been a while since i have done that ... — Joran Beasley
– Joran Beasley, Commented Jul 21, 2016 at 18:03

Joran Beasley · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-21 18:07:47Z

1

you could make some totally hacky crap

script_b.py

while not os.path.exists("a.done"):pass
time.sleep(0.2) # a little longer just to be really sure ...
os.remove("a.done")
... # rest of script b

script_a.py

import atexit
atexit.register(lambda *a:open("a.done","w"))

or instead of Popen just do

os.execl("/usr/bin/python","script_b.py")

answered Jul 21, 2016 at 18:07

Joran Beasley

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Javier · Accepted Answer · 2016-07-21 17:02:49Z

1

Your script_a.py would be:

import subprocess
#do whatever stuff you want here
p = subprocess.Popen(["python","b.py"])
p.wait()
p.terminate()

#continue doing stuff

answered Jul 21, 2016 at 17:02

Javier

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4 Comments

KidMcC Over a year ago

Where does this close script_a.py so the subprocess p can do its work?

Javier Over a year ago

Sorry I read it the other way around. If a calls b in the last instruction, and b needs to wait until a finishes you have an infinite loop. Just use another script c that calls a and then b. Any reason why you can't do that?

KidMcC Over a year ago

So there is no way to force script_a to continue on with its next instruction (which is sis.exit() regardless of when script_b finishes?

Javier Over a year ago

Use a script c that calls both.

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