Pass arguments to python functions using subprocess

Question

If I have a function in a file like this:

def foo():
    print 'foo'

foo()

I can call this file from another one:

import subprocess
subprocess.call(['python', 'function.py'])

But can if the function needs arguments:

def foo(foo_var):
    print foo_var

Can I still call the function using subprocess?

Why do you want to call a Python function using subprocess instead of importing it??? — PM 2Ring
– PM 2Ring, Commented May 2, 2016 at 14:19
@PM2Ring I'm just learning to use subprocess, I now it's better to import the function, I was just curious. — Luis Ramon Ramirez Rodriguez
– Luis Ramon Ramirez Rodriguez, Commented May 2, 2016 at 14:21

DeepSpace · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-02 14:25:03Z

2

Can I still call the function using subprocess?

Yeah.

First you will need to pass the arguments to the function:

from sys import argv

def foo(args):
    print args
    >> ['arg1', 'arg2']  # (based on the example below)

foo(argv[1:])

Then in your calling code:

import subprocess
subprocess.call(['python', 'function.py', 'arg1', 'arg2'])

answered May 2, 2016 at 14:13

DeepSpace

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Comments

Blender · Accepted Answer · 2016-05-02 14:14:49Z

2

Instead of using subprocess, just modify function.py to have it work nicely with imports:

def foo():
    print 'foo'

if __name__ == '__main__':
    foo()

Then you can just import foo from the function module:

from function import foo

if __name__ == '__main__':
    foo(1)

answered May 2, 2016 at 14:14

Blender

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