How to Execute External Programs with Spaces in Path from Python?

Executing External Programs from Python with Spaces in Path

In Python, the os.system function can be used to execute external programs. However, problems can arise when executing programs with paths containing spaces. This article explores the issue and provides a solution using the subprocess module.

Challenges with os.system

The os.system function interprets the input string as a command to be executed by the shell. When spaces are present in the path to the program, the shell may interpret them as command delimiters, leading to errors like "command not found."

Handling Spaces with Escaping

Escaping the program path with double quotes can sometimes resolve the issue. However, adding additional parameters to the command may break it again.

Same Quotes, Different Syntax

Swapping the single and double quotes when delimiting the program path (e.g., "'C:Tempa b cNotepad.exe'") does not solve the problem and may result in "filename syntax is incorrect" errors.

Enter subprocess

To avoid the complexities of shell escaping, the subprocess module provides a more robust solution. The subprocess.call function takes a list of arguments rather than a string. Arguments are easily delimited by white space within the list.

Sample Script Using subprocess

The following script uses subprocess to execute Notepad with a parameter:

<code class="python">import subprocess
subprocess.call(['C:\Temp\a b c\Notepad.exe', 'C:\test.txt'])</code>

This script will correctly execute Notepad and wait for it to complete without encountering any syntax issues due to spaces in the path.

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