running bash command from python3

Question

I am trying to remove some file (from my linux machine), except few:

touch INCAR KPOINTS foo bar
$ls
bar  foo  INCAR  KPOINTS
$python3 mini.py
Job Done
$ls
bar  foo  INCAR  KPOINTS

The mini.py is:

#!/usr/bin/python3
import subprocess

subprocess.run(['rm', '-f', '!(INCAR|KPOINTS|PO*|*.sh)'])
print("Job Done")

As can be seen in the output of mini.py, its notgiving any error but neither its doing its job.

What I am doing wrong here?

rm is not a executable, it's just a internal command of bash. Try run['bash', '-c', " rm ..."] — gdlmx
– gdlmx, Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 17:24
rm is an executable in any sane system. It is part of the GNU Coreutils package and you can find it in /bin/ or /usr/bin depending on your distro. — Munir
– Munir, Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 17:35
sorry, I was wrong. But why don't you use os.remove(). It seems that the rm runs but cannot delete some of those files. — gdlmx
– gdlmx, Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 17:44
can I select which files NOT to dellete with os.remove? I mean !(...) part? — BaRud
– BaRud, Commented Jun 16, 2016 at 17:46

Fabricator · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-16 17:49:33Z

5

It doesn't work because !() is an extended matching pattern, and needs to be enabled explicitly:

subprocess.run(['/bin/bash', '-O', 'extglob', '-c', 'rm -f !(INCAR|KPOINTS|PO*|*.sh)'])

Note this will remove the script itself...

answered Jun 16, 2016 at 17:49

Fabricator

12.8k2 gold badges29 silver badges40 bronze badges

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

Comments

Hans · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-16 17:51:56Z

1

you can also use

import os
os.system('rm -f !(INCAR|KPOINTS|PO*|*.sh)')

answered Jun 16, 2016 at 17:51

Hans

2,5323 gold badges29 silver badges36 bronze badges