Python subprocess using import subprocess

Question

Can this be somehow overcome? Can a child process create a subprocess?

The problem is, I have a ready application which needs to call a Python script. This script on its own works perfectly, but it needs to call existing shell scripts.

Schematically the problem is in the following code:

parent.py

import subprocess
subprocess.call(['/usr/sfw/bin/python', '/usr/apps/openet/bmsystest/relAuto/variousSW/child.py','1', '2'])

child.py

import sys
import subprocess
print sys.argv[0]
print sys.argv[1]

subprocess.call(['ls -l'], shell=True)
exit

Running child.py

python child.py 1 2
  all is ok

Running parent.py

python  parent.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/apps/openet/bmsystest/relAuto/variousSW/child.py", line 2, in ?
    import subprocess
ImportError: No module named subprocess

Answer 1

There should be nothing stopping you from using subprocess in both child.py and parent.py

I am able to run it perfectly fine. :)

Issue Debugging:

You are using python and /usr/sfw/bin/python.

1. Is bare python pointing to the same python?
2. Can you check by typing 'which python'?

I am sure if you did the following, it will work for you.

/usr/sfw/bin/python parent.py

Alternatively, Can you change your parent.py code to

import subprocess
subprocess.call(['python', '/usr/apps/openet/bmsystest/relAuto/variousSW/child.py','1', '2'])