How can I override the keyboard interrupt? (Python)

Question

Is there anyway I can make my script execute one of my functions when Ctrl+c is hit when the script is running?

See http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4205317/capture-keyboardinterrupt-in-python-without-try-except for several options. — DSM, Aug 09 '11 at 01:30

score 24 · Accepted Answer · edited Nov 09 '22 at 04:31

24

Take a look at signal handlers. CTRL-C corresponds to SIGINT (signal #2 on posix systems).

Example:

#!/usr/bin/env python
import signal
import sys
def signal_handler(signal, frame):
    print("You pressed Ctrl+C - or killed me with -2")
    sys.exit(0)
signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, signal_handler)
print("Press Ctrl+C")
signal.pause()

edited Nov 09 '22 at 04:31

ideasman42

42,413
44
197
320

answered Aug 09 '11 at 01:29

miku

181,842
47
306
310

note: this one should also hit the signal handler when you go `kill -2 [pid]` in the OS – wim Aug 09 '11 at 02:45
@wim, good point, thanks, added a hint to my answer - is there actually a way to distinguish a kill by keyboard from a kill by kill? – miku Aug 09 '11 at 02:56
1

I have seen the former will raise a `KeyboardInterrupt` exception in python, the latter won't. But I'm not sure on the implementation details of why this is so. – wim Aug 09 '11 at 02:58

score 9 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 09 '11 at 01:33

9

Sure.

try:
  # Your normal block of code
except KeyboardInterrupt:
  # Your code which is executed when CTRL+C is pressed.
finally:
  # Your code which is always executed.

answered Aug 09 '11 at 01:33

Senthil Kumaran

54,681
14
94
131

score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 09 '11 at 01:30

3

Use the KeyboardInterrupt exception and call your function in the except block.

answered Aug 09 '11 at 01:30

ig0774

39,669
3
55
57

How can I override the keyboard interrupt? (Python)

3 Answers3

Linked