In Python, get the output of system command as a string [duplicate]

Question

In python I can run some system command using os or subprocess. The problem is that I can't get the output as a string. For example:

>>> tmp = os.system("ls")
file1 file2
>>> tmp
0

I have an older version of subprocess that doesn't have the function check_out, and I would prefer a solution that doesn't require to update that module since my code will run on a server I don't have full admin rights.

you need popen PIPE, system probably returns process termination status — Grijesh Chauhan
– Grijesh Chauhan, Commented Oct 8, 2013 at 8:45
@GrijeshChauhan I tried it as well but couldn't make it work. Can you show an example? — S4M
– S4M, Commented Oct 8, 2013 at 8:46
@S4M Read: docs.python.org/2/library/subprocess.html#popen-constructor — Grijesh Chauhan
– Grijesh Chauhan, Commented Oct 8, 2013 at 8:48

Hari Menon · Accepted Answer · 2013-10-08 08:58:14Z

78

Use os.popen():

tmp = os.popen("ls").read()

The newer way (> python 2.6) to do this is to use subprocess:

proc = subprocess.Popen('ls', stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
tmp = proc.stdout.read()

edited Oct 8, 2013 at 8:58

answered Oct 8, 2013 at 8:47

Hari Menon

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4 Comments

Grijesh Chauhan Over a year ago

An example using subprocess will be helpful :)

Hari Menon Over a year ago

Added an example with subprocess

S4M Over a year ago

tmp = os.popen("ls").read() is fine. I have python 2.6.

reducing activity Over a year ago

why subprocess may be better?

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