library

Subprocess

Subprocess is a Python standard library module that allows developers to spawn new processes, connect to their input/output/error pipes, and obtain their return codes. It provides a high-level interface for executing external commands and programs from within Python scripts, replacing older modules like os.system and os.spawn.

Also known as: subprocess module, Python subprocess, subprocess.run, subprocess.Popen, spawn process

🧊Why learn Subprocess?

Developers should use Subprocess when they need to run shell commands, interact with system utilities, or execute other programs from Python code, such as automating system administration tasks, integrating with command-line tools, or managing external processes in applications. It is essential for tasks like file manipulation with system commands, running scripts in other languages, or handling process communication in multi-process architectures.