How to run commands on shell through python [duplicate]

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Calling an external command in Python

I want to run commands in another directory using python.

What are the various ways used for this and which is the most efficient one?

What I want to do is as follows,

cd dir1
execute some commands
return 
cd dir2
execute some commands

Answer 1

Naturally if you only want to run a (simple) command on the shell via python, you do it via the system function of the os module. For instance:

import os
os.system('touch myfile')

If you would want something more sophisticated that allows for even greater control over the execution of the command, go ahead and use the subprocess module that others here have suggested.

For further information, follow these links:

• Python official documentation on os.system()
• Python official documentation on the subprocess module

Answer 2

If you want more control over the called shell command (i.e. access to stdin and/or stdout pipes or starting it asynchronously), you can use the subprocessmodule:

import subprocess

p = subprocess.Popen('ls -al', shell=True, stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
stdout, stderr = p.communicate()

See also subprocess module documentation.