Run command with sudo from a graphical Python program

Question

I want to create a graphical python application that can execute some external programs on Linux without showing the terminal.

First, I tried to use subprocess.run() to see if it actually works, but Python 3.7.3 shows no results to the code I wrote.

import subprocess
subprocess.run(['sudo', 'apt', 'update'])

I changed it to see any results:

import subprocess
a = subprocess.run(['sudo', 'apt', 'update'])
print(a)

but it shows this result instantly:

CompletedProcess(args=['sudo', 'apt', 'update'], returncode=1)

This script will take at least 5 seconds to be finished, and it requires sudo privileges to be able to run it in the first place, so I don't think that Python shell executed this script.

returncode Exit status of the child process. Typically, an exit status of 0 indicates that it ran successfully. — static const
– static const, Commented Jun 18, 2019 at 20:47
This depends on your /etc/sudoers file. By default, applications without a TTY aren't allowed to use sudo at all. Maybe use gksudo, which is explicitly intended for graphical use, instead? — Charles Duffy
– Charles Duffy, Commented Jun 18, 2019 at 20:47
In order to get subprocess to output to stdout, you have to give it arguments: subprocess.run([...], stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE). see this answer — Green Cloak Guy
– Green Cloak Guy, Commented Jun 18, 2019 at 20:48
@GreenCloakGuy, however, sudo prompts for passwords on the TTY, not via stdin/stdout, so I don't see why that would be relevant. — Charles Duffy
– Charles Duffy, Commented Jun 18, 2019 at 20:48
gksudo is deprecated since Ubuntu 18.04. The new method is pkexec. Thanks alot @CharlesDuffy for your suggestion. — Ahmed.Elsayed
– Ahmed.Elsayed, Commented Jun 18, 2019 at 21:26

Ahmed.Elsayed · Accepted Answer · 2019-06-18 21:42:57Z

2

Using pkexec instead of sudo fixed my issue. Thanks for everyone tried to help me especially @Charles Duffy.

Now it looks like this:

import subprocess
result = subprocess.run(['pkexec', 'apt', 'update'], stdout=subprocess.PIPE)
print(result.stdout)

edited Jun 18, 2019 at 21:42

answered Jun 18, 2019 at 21:35

Ahmed.Elsayed

316 bronze badges

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

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Run command with sudo from a graphical Python program

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related