Can't import subprocess module into python3

Question

Im trying to import subprocess. However Im unable to even import subprocess.

Currently, my file (throwaway.py) consists of only one line:

import subprocess

but it returns the error:

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "throwaway.py", line 1, in <module>
    import subprocess
ImportError: bad magic number in 'subprocess': b'\x03\xf3\r\n'
Error in sys.excepthook:
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/apport_python_hook.py", line 63, in apport_excepthook
    from apport.fileutils import likely_packaged, get_recent_crashes
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/apport/__init__.py", line 5, in <module>
    from apport.report import Report
  File "/usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/apport/report.py", line 12, in <module>
    import subprocess, tempfile, os.path, re, pwd, grp, os, time
ImportError: bad magic number in 'subprocess': b'\x03\xf3\r\n'

Original exception was:
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "throwaway.py", line 1, in <module>
    import subprocess
ImportError: bad magic number in 'subprocess': b'\x03\xf3\r\n'

What are magic number errors? I read that they occur when you accidentally give a file the .pyc extention rather than .py?

Try and see if there are any subprocess.pyc files (use locate, if it's up to date). Check your local directory as well. Clear out/remove any __pycache__ directories. — user707650
– user707650, Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 6:32
Thank you, there was a file named "test.pyc" perhaps it was created during one of my earlier attempts. removing it fixed the problem thank you. — Qwertford
– Qwertford, Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 6:58

Antti Haapala · Accepted Answer · 2016-09-09 06:33:19Z

3

In this case the error occurs because for some reason your code is importing Python 2.7 subprocess.pyc into Python 3. Python 2.7 .pycs start with b'\x03\xf3\r\n'. Perhaps you've created one virtualenv for both Python 2 and 3 (it wouldn't work), or are using a wrong PYTHONPATH.

answered Sep 9, 2016 at 6:33

Antti Haapala

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turkus · Accepted Answer · 2016-09-09 06:56:45Z

1

Use pyclean and try to import it again.

pyclean <path>

will remove all pyc files in path you'll provide (recursively), so there won't be compiled files, so no conflict.

answered Sep 9, 2016 at 6:56

turkus

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