Python subprocess script works on Windows but not on Linux

Question

I write a simple script to check the subprocess module and I tested it on both Windows and Linux.

The script works fine on Windows but not on Linux.

The Python interpreter used is version 3 on both.

import subprocess
host = input("Enter a host to ping: ")
p1 = subprocess.Popen(["ping", "-n", "2", host], shell=True, universal_newlines=True, stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
output = p1.communicate()[0]
print(output)

Output on Windows:

Enter a host to ping: google.com

Pinging google.com [142.250.183.238] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 142.250.183.238: bytes=32 time=17ms TTL=120
Reply from 142.250.183.238: bytes=32 time=16ms TTL=120

Ping statistics for 142.250.183.238:
    Packets: Sent = 2, Received = 2, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 16ms, Maximum = 17ms, Average = 16ms

On Linux:

Enter a host to ping: google.com
ping: usage error: Destination address required

What is the difference when running on Linux?.

Drop the "2" and it will work. What does the "2" request on windows? — Rolf of Saxony
– Rolf of Saxony, Commented Oct 31, 2021 at 7:21
You will have to be more specific. On Linux -n = Numeric output only, -c count = Stop after sending count packets — Rolf of Saxony
– Rolf of Saxony, Commented Oct 31, 2021 at 7:30
On a side note: Unless you're using a very old version of 3 then you might want to consider using subprocess.run and its related high-level functions instead of working with Popen directly. — Jon Clements
– Jon Clements, Commented Oct 31, 2021 at 7:42
Thank you, yes, the flag was the whole problem. On Linux -c and windows -n — vjwilson
– vjwilson, Commented Oct 31, 2021 at 7:52

Kevin.L · Accepted Answer · 2021-10-31 07:23:49Z

3

Ping command on windows is like ping -n 2 google.com but in linux is ping -c 2 google.com. Try using if os.name() == 'posix' for linux & if os.name() == 'nt' for windows and write two commands, one for each OS.

answered Oct 31, 2021 at 7:23

Kevin.L

562 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Python subprocess script works on Windows but not on Linux

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related