Python subprocess call

subprocess_example.py

#!/usr/bin/python

import subprocess as sp

# Pipes used to prevent buffer problems with verbose output.
# stdout is redirected to stderr.
# shell=True allows spaces in 'cmd'.
# communicate() waits for termination and empties buffers into 'output'. 

cmd     = "ls"
p       = sp.Popen(cmd, shell=True, stdout=sp.PIPE, stderr=sp.STDOUT)
output  = p.communicate()[0]