Python - opening cli/gui editors (vim, nano, geany...)

Question

I'd like to open an editor (cli or gui-based) via Python script. I can do this with os.system('vim file'), but I'd also like to get output in case command fails. subprocess.getstatusoutput('vim file') doesn't work for opening programs with specific interface.

What's the best alternative?

Not sure what you want to do, but you should really use os.environ['EDITOR'] and not start some editor you choose. — ThiefMaster
– ThiefMaster, Commented Nov 1, 2011 at 12:31
Don't worry, I'm not trying to force my grandma to use vi. I've written a little tools that parses a file containing list of editors and path aliases. E.g. I can do ed httpd and it will run vim -arg1 -arg2 /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf — usr
– usr, Commented Nov 1, 2011 at 15:31

Fred Foo · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-01 12:49:55Z

2

subprocess.check_call([EDITOR, file_path])

will raise an OSError exception if EDITOR fails to run.

answered Nov 1, 2011 at 12:49

Fred Foo

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0xd · Accepted Answer · 2011-11-01 12:47:05Z

0

You can use os.execv(path, args) if the command fails, an OSError will be thrown. You can find more details on os.execv documentation.

answered Nov 1, 2011 at 12:47

0xd

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2 Comments

Fred Foo Over a year ago

But if it succeeds, os.execv will not return to the Python interpreter.

0xd Over a year ago

He would like to get output in case command fails, I think that would work. But I agree with you, if he wants to get ALL output from that execution, it would not work properly.

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