Running Shell Commands in Python

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Python’s versatility extends to interacting with the operating system, and one of the most useful tools for this is the subprocess module. This built-in module allows you to run shell commands, interact with processes, and capture their output. Whether you're automating tasks, processing files, or running system commands, subprocess is a go-to solution.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how to effectively run shell commands in Python, with examples and a detailed explanation of the available options.

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Basic Usage

Example 1: Running a Simple Command

To execute a simple shell command, use subprocess.run:

import subprocess

# Run a command
result = subprocess.run(['ls', '-l'], capture_output=True, text=True)

# Display the output
print("STDOUT:", result.stdout)
print("STDERR:", result.stderr)
print("Return Code:", result.returncode)

Here’s what happens:

• ['ls', '-l']: The command and arguments as a list.
• capture_output=True: Captures both stdout and stderr.
• text=True: Converts the output to a…