How Can I Execute External Programs and System Commands in Python?

Executing Programs and System Commands in Python

In Python, you may need to interact with external programs or issue system commands from within your code. To accomplish this, Python provides several mechanisms, including subprocess.run and os.system.

subprocess.run

subprocess.run is a popular and versatile method for executing programs and commands. It provides a simple and straightforward interface. Here's how to use it:

import subprocess

subprocess.run(["ls", "-l"])

This code will execute the "ls -l" command, just as if you had typed it in a shell or command prompt.

os.system

os.system is another option, but it is generally discouraged due to security concerns. It offers less control over the execution and is susceptible to certain security vulnerabilities.

subprocess.call

For Python 3.4 and earlier, subprocess.call should be used instead of subprocess.run. It serves the same purpose as subprocess.run, but with slightly different syntax.

subprocess.call(["ls", "-l"])

Advantages of subprocess.run

Compared to os.system, subprocess.run offers several advantages:

• Security: subprocess.run provides more control over the execution environment, making it less vulnerable to security issues.
• Flexibility: subprocess.run allows you to capture the output, the error stream, and the exit code, providing more information about the executed program.
• Cross-platform: subprocess.run works consistently across different operating systems.

Conclusion

subprocess.run and subprocess.call are the preferred options for executing programs or system commands in Python. They offer a combination of security, flexibility, and cross-platform compatibility.

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