Solving the Infinite Loop Problem in Python on Linux with os.system()

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Troubleshooting Infinite Loop in Python on Linux

The Scenario

Imagine this: you have a Python script that launches another script designed to create an Excel file. When the script finishes, it presents a message box that indicates the file is ready. However, instead of terminating as anticipated when you click “OK,” the process keeps looping back, causing your app to behave erratically. You'll find yourself needing to log out of the system just to get out of this infinite loop. So why does this happen?

The Core Issue

In the provided script, functions within both scripts were responsible for ending the process. Here’s a quick look at the relevant code snippets that illustrate the problem.

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And in the xlsxfile script, the termination code looks like this:

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Understanding the Problem

The Solution

Implement the Change

Here’s how you should update your code:

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To:

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In the xlsxfile script, also replace:

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With:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Why os._exit(0) Works

Bypassing the Infinite Loop: By using os._exit(0), the execution of the original Python script halts immediately, resolving the looping behavior.

Conclusion

By adapting these practices and understanding the underpinning issues, you can save yourself hours of debugging frustration.

Feel free to share your experiences with similar issues or ask about any points that need clarification in the comments below!