Run Python child script using Python Add-In button class?

Question

I have a Python script which I want to execute using Python Add-In button class. Right now, I am using following:

class child(object):
    """Implementation for Toolbar_addin.button2 (Button)"""
    def __init__(self):
        self.enabled = True
        self.checked = False
    def onClick(self):
        os.system('C:/temp/child.py')

but it returns nothing when I click Python Add-In button as part of sub-menu. Is it the right way to fire child scripts using button class?

Note: child script works perfectly as a stand alone script

Answer 1

@NathanW's suggestion works for me and is what I would suggest doing as well.

I have in the Install folder within my Python Add-in directory:

• child.py:

  import os, datetime
  
  def writeDummyFile(path):
      with open(path, "w") as f:
          f.write(datetime.datetime.now().ctime())
  
  if __name__ == "__main__":
      writeDummyFile(r"C:\temp\test.txt")
      with open(r"C:\temp\test.txt", "r") as f:
          print f.readline()
  

  (when run standalone prints the current time as read from the just-written file)

• TestChildScriptAddin.py:

  import arcpy
  import pythonaddins
  import sys
  import os
  
  sys.path.append(os.path.dirname(__file__))
  import child
  
  class LaunchChildScriptButton(object):
      """Implementation for LaunchChildScript.button (Button)"""
      def __init__(self):
          self.enabled = True
          self.checked = False
      def onClick(self):
          child.writeDummyFile(r"C:\temp\test.txt")
  

  (when clicked, the current time is written to the file)

This works fine for me at 10.1 SP1. Have you tried doing something similar (barebones test)?

Answer 2

you may want to change

os.system('C:/temp/child.py')

to

os.startfile('C:/temp/child.py')

this should run the script.

Answer 3

Both suggestions by Hotpepper worked for me. Perhaps you should consider:

os.system('C:\\temp\\child.py')

os.startfile('C:\\temp\\child.py')

I mean (\\) instead to (/)