Shell Programming in Python

Snake Shell

© Lead Image © Nelli Valova, 123RF.com

© Lead Image © Nelli Valova, 123RF.com

Article from Issue 267/2023
Author(s): , Author(s):

Create lightweight Raspberry Pi scripts with Xonsh, a Python shell that lets you write scripts in Python with Bash commands mixed in.

For Raspberry Pi users, Xonsh [1] offers many opportunities to write some extremely lightweight scripts, with Python connecting to physical devices and Bash utilities accessing system and file resources.

In this article, we look at two lean Xonsh projects for the Raspberry Pi. The first program connects to a DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor and shows the results in a Bash dialog in just five lines. The second project calls the Bash top utility in a lean eight lines to show the Raspberry Pi idle time and user time on a 16x2 LCD screen.

Getting Started

Xonsh has two requirements: Python 3.8 or greater and a Bash shell. To install and run Xonsh on a Raspberry Pi, Ubuntu, or Debian system, enter:

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Zenity Dialogs

    The Zenity command-line utility lets you create simple dialog boxes with your own data or with the output of utilities and applications.

  • Whiptail

    Whiptail interfaces add menus and information pages to your Raspberry Pi projects.

  • FOSSPicks

    This month Graham looks at Surge XT, Kröhnkite, MQTT Explorer, Mandelbulber v2, Simutrans, and more.

  • Zenity and KDialog

    Zenity and KDialog let you integrate your scripts with the native KDE or Gnome environment.

  • Julia on the Pi

    Create GUIs and a web app that connects to sensors.

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News