The subprocess.call() function is not working

Question

I was doing an exersize with the following task: Write a python program to call an external command in Python.

As I could not solve it by my own I looked up the solution:

from subprocess import call
call(["ls", "-l"])

But the solution threw an Error: FileNotFoundError: [WinError 2]

I also tried adding shell=True and for example leaving out the brackets like following:

subprocess.call('ls -l', shell=True)

In this case it tells me that the command "ls" could not be found.

I am working on windows 10,Python 3.8.2 32 bit

I am kind of lost and would be glad if someone could help.

Thank you!

That's the issue. Your python code is working. The `ls` command does not exist on Windows. — Tin Nguyen, Apr 06 '20 at 08:07
I suggest checking the environment used for the tutorial you're using before going forward, and maybe installing a virtual environment that would emulate that environment. The tutorial seem to expect a Linux environment, and other issues might arise in the future — Almog-at-Nailo, Nov 08 '21 at 15:11

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 08 '21 at 14:48

2

ls is not a valid Windows CMD command. For learning purpose, you may try CD for printing current directory, ie

import subprocess
subprocess.call(['CD'], shell=True)

answered Nov 08 '21 at 14:48

hellojoshhhy

1 Answers1