How to execute Python files from Python?

Question

I am attempting to execute Python files from a deconstructed file.

import utils
import os
print(utils.fileReader('holderFile.py'))
test = utils.fileReader('holderFile.py')
for i in test:
    if(i == ''):
        os.system('')  #this allows for it to read spaces in the file
    else:
        os.system('python3 ' + i)
        print(i)
os.system('python3 exit()')
#os.system("sudo python scale1.py")


print('Done')

It is running but it gives me this error

sh: 1: Syntax error: "(" unexpected
def simpleAdder(i, j):
sh: 1: Syntax error: "(" unexpected
    return (i+j)
sh: 1: Syntax error: "(" unexpected
simpleAdder(5, 8)
sh: 1: Syntax error: "(" unexpected

holderFile.py is just a simple addition method

def simpleAdder(i, j):
    return (i+j)

simpleAdder(5, 8)

How would I go about getting a Python file to execute properly using a method similar to this, or what would you suggest I use?

This smells like an [XY problem](http://mywiki.wooledge.org/XyProblem). What are you *actually* trying to achieve? — Biffen, Jan 22 '17 at 19:27
What does `utils.fileReader()` do? Why aren't you `import`ing it? — martineau, Jan 22 '17 at 19:43
I'm sending information over the socket and have to break it down into a list and then re assemble it into code. there is a valid reason for doing this, its not as simple as importing it. — Marc Frame, Jan 22 '17 at 19:51
its ok I figured out an alternative and answered below, it normally works, it is just weird how its working. Thanks for helping though :D — Marc Frame, Jan 22 '17 at 20:30

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 22 '17 at 19:35

3

import holderFile

Or:

from holderFile import simpleAdder

And then call simpleAdder normally.

answered Jan 22 '17 at 19:35

Trelzevir

767
6
11

I'm sending information over the socket and have to break it down into a list and then re assemble it into code – Marc Frame Jan 22 '17 at 19:49

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jan 22 '17 at 19:59

I figured it out and will leave the thread open for others to find an answer in case they ever need it.

I simply saved the file to a temp file and then ran the file instead of attempting to run individual lines

def fileWriter(array, file):
    f = open(file, 'w+')
    for item in array:
        f.write("%s\n" % item)

os.system('python3 temp.py')

works for me

How to execute Python files from Python?

2 Answers2