Python script to help validate 1MB Sorter

validate.py

from subprocess import *
import time

def validate(sequence):
    start = time.clock()
    sorter = Popen('sort1mb.exe', stdin=PIPE, stdout=PIPE, stderr=PIPE)
    for value in sequence:
        sorter.stdin.write('%08d\n' % value)
    sorter.stdin.close()
    result = [int(line) for line in sorter.stdout]
    interval = time.clock() - start

    if result == sorted(sequence):
        print('Result OK after %.03f secs' % interval)
        print(sorter.stderr.readline().strip())
    else:
        print('***ERROR*** after %.03f secs' % interval)