Problem scenario
You want to use custom modules (e.g., .py files that will be called by another Python program). You are trying to figure out which location(s) the Python interpreter will look for such modules. How do you determine the directory where Python will look when it uses the “import” key word?

Solution
Run these three commands (the first is a Bash command and the other two are Python):

python
import sys
print(sys.path) …

Continue reading “How Do You Find Where the Python Interpreter Will Look for Modules?”

Problem scenario
You are automating a Linux infrastructure task with Python using subprocess calls. You get this error “subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command ‘…’ returned non-zero exit status 1”, what should you do?

Solution
Run the Linux command without Python. Then run echo $? to determine the exit code. If you see a 1, that means Python notices this command is not considered to have run successfully.

…

Continue reading “How Do You Troubleshoot the Python Error “subprocess.CalledProcessError: Command ‘…’ returned non-zero exit status 1”?”

Here are some tips when using Python and dealing with lists.

1. Use snake_case for list variable names. For more information on coding style in Python, see the PEP 8 style guide here.
2. Never call a variable “list”. (If you are using a variable for a list, use something like small_list or big_list — not “list”.) Any word that is not a reserved word and not a built-in data type will work.

…

Continue reading “Python Tips when Dealing with Lists”