Execute batch file using Python script

Question

I'm trying to execute a batch file using a Python script. Is this possible? The Python script is in a different folder than the batch file. For example, the Python script is in C:\users\me\desktop\python while the batch file is in a folder C:\users\me\desktop\batch. I prefer not to use the full path to the batch file because I want it to work on other people's computer as well (i.e. the C:\users\me part might be different).

This is the script I tried (executed from the "python" folder on desktop)

from subprocess import call
path = "..\batch"
call([path+"\test.bat"])

Result: file not found

• Chanda Korat: Possible duplicate of (stackoverflow.com/questions/5469301/…)
• Florian Koch: Possible duplicate of Run a .bat file using python code
• feedMe: Possible duplicate of Executing a subprocess fails

Answer 1

Backslash escapes special characters in python. Therefore, the paths that you are creating here are not the ones you think they are:

In [1]: test = "..\bfoo"
In [2]: test
Out[2]: '..\x08foo'

Use raw strings instead:

In [3]: test = r"..\bfoo"
In [4]: test
Out[4]: '..\\bfoo'

And actually, the best way to combine path segments in python is by using os.path.join. This will automatically take care of the backslash vs. slash issues for Unix-lie vs. Windows operating systems.

• vdvaxel: Thanks, that worked. However, when I run the Python script, it now shows me the code inside the batch file without actually executing it?
• languitar: On the command line? Or does it open a new window. However, this is probably actually a different question.
• vdvaxel: Yes it shows the code on the command line and doesn't open a new window.
• vdvaxel: When I put the Python script in the same folder as the batch file, it works. But for some reason it doesn't work from a different folder.
• languitar: Have a look at the marked duplicate question stackoverflow.com/questions/1818774/…. Maybe it solves the issue?

Answer 2

Use os.path,

import os 
dir_path = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__)) # get the full path of the Python file
parent_dir = os.path.dirname(dir_path)
new_path = os.path.join(parent_dir, 'bath', 'test.bat')