Python module variable not working

Question

I have just started learning python. I am using python 2.7.5 I created the test module named "t.py" as below:

$cat > t.py
import os
def greeting(name):
  print("Hello, " + name)
c=os.system('clear')

When I am trying to use the module in python c is not working but greeting is working

$python
>>> t.greeting("test")
Hello, test
>>> t.c
0

Can you please advise why t.c is not clearing the screen within the python.Thanks.

If you've just started learning Python, you should definitely use the most recent version - 3.7 - not the very-out-of-date 2.7. — Daniel Roseman
– Daniel Roseman, Commented Aug 20, 2018 at 10:35
Thanks Daniel Roseman , the server I am using has the version 2.7.5 installed. There might be future work on python 2.7.5 so I am getting acquainted with it. I will try to install the version 3.7 on my home computer though thanks for the suggestion :) — Forever Learner
– Forever Learner, Commented Aug 20, 2018 at 10:41

FHTMitchell · Accepted Answer · 2018-08-20 10:33:20Z

9

Because you've set c as a variable (the result of one call of os.system('clear')), not a function. You'd have to do

def c():
   os.system('clear')

and then call

>>> t.c()

FYI, subprocess.call is preferred over os.system which only exists for backwards compatibility.

answered Aug 20, 2018 at 10:33

FHTMitchell

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2 Comments

Ohh...wow... thanks FHTMitchell for your help :) Plus 1 and will accept as the answer in 9 minutes due to the limit. :D

And thanks for subprocess tip too... >>> import subprocess >>> import subprocess as sp >>> sp.call('clear') 0