Linux/Unix: Call Python From Bash Shell Script

Here I am giving some examples to demonstrate how to call Python from a bash shell script in Linux/Unix environments.

Calling Python from Bash Shell Examples

In the following example, it will call the Python program which will access the variable (var_name) declared in the bash shell environment.

Example 1. pytest1.sh

#!/bin/bash

export var_name="Vinish"
python - <<END
import os
print "Hello ", os.environ['var_name']
END

Test

chmod +x pytest1.sh
./pytest1.sh

Output

Hello Vinish

Below shell script is using a function to call the Python program to get the current date and time value.

Example 2. pytest2.sh

#!/bin/bash

function current_date_time
{
python - <<START
import datetime
value = datetime.datetime.now()
print (value)
START
} 

# calling function directly

current_date_time

# getting function output into a variable

Date_Time=$(current_date_time)

echo "Date and time now = $Date_Time"

Test

chmod +x pytest2.sh
./pytest2.sh

Output

2019-04-24 12:52:01.026882
Date and time now = 2019-04-24 12:52:01.183022

Calling Python script (.py) from the shell script.

Example 3. pytest3.sh

#!/bin/bash
# contents of the below pytest.py file is print "Hello World!"
python pytest.py

Test

chmod +x pytest3.sh
./pytest3.sh

Output

Hello World!

See also:

• SQL Loader in Unix Shell Script Example
• How to Call Oracle Stored Procedure from Shell Script?