Python subprocess Popen not sending all arguments to shell

Question

I am using Python's subprocess module to launch another program. The program requires an argument '-c{0-7}'.

this_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
cmd = [os.path.join(this_dir,'foobar'),'-c%d' % channel]
print "Starting process: %s" % str(cmd)
Proc = subprocess.Popen(cmd,stdout=subprocess.PIPE,shell=True)

In the C++ program, I'm checking the arguments passed in:

for (int i = 0; i < argc; i++)
{   
    cerr << i << "   " << argv[i] << endl;
}   
cerr << "" << endl;

Here is the output when I run the python script:

user@home:~/embedded_pqa/saleae$ ./foobar.py -c3
Starting process: ['/home/user/code/foobar', '-c3']
0   /home/user/code/foobar

As is clear, the argument '-c3' is not being passed to the subprocess. Any thoughts?

A tool like strace or truss is the right thing to see what actually is or isn't being passed to the execve syscall. Also, shell=True is evil; if you want control of how your arguments are passed, don't use it. — Charles Duffy
– Charles Duffy, Commented May 7, 2012 at 23:34

koniiiik · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-07 23:40:08Z

13

The issue is with shell=True. Quoting the docs:

On Unix, with shell=True: […] If args is a sequence, the first item specifies the command string, and any additional items will be treated as additional arguments to the shell itself.

That means it calls the following command:

sh -c /home/user/code/foobar -c3

which the shell interprets as the command /home/user/code/foobar and an additional shell parameter -c3.

Just get rid of shell=True since you aren't using any sh features anyway and you're using an already separated argument list yourself.

answered May 7, 2012 at 23:40

koniiiik

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1 Comment

Rusty Over a year ago

Thanks for the help. shell=True was the culprit.

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