pass string to a os prompt

[Bart Nessux]

I'm writing a script that does some basic pre-configuration for our new
Macs (OSX 10.3.2). I'm trying to enable the root account automatically
with the script, but I don't know how to pass stings to the shell when
it stops and awaits input. For example,

os.popen('/usr/bin/sudo passwd root')

Cause the OS to respond with:

Password:

How do I pass my current user's password to the prompt? I know that I
need to store the password in a string in the script, but I don't know
how to feed it to the waiting shell.

P.S. I know this isn't safe. The script is for config purposes only and
will be used by sys-support personnel who know the root passwords
already. This script just *greatly* automates deployment and helps to
standardise how systems are configured in a lagre environment.

Thanks!

[wes weston]

Re: pass string to a os prompt

Bart,
[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
>>> x = raw_input('ente r x: ')[/color][/color][/color]
enter x: 5[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
>>> print x[/color][/color][/color]
5

or

d = tkSimpleDialog. askstring("","s tartdate",initi alvalue=headDat e)




Bart Nessux wrote:[color=blue]
> I'm writing a script that does some basic pre-configuration for our new
> Macs (OSX 10.3.2). I'm trying to enable the root account automatically
> with the script, but I don't know how to pass stings to the shell when
> it stops and awaits input. For example,
>
> os.popen('/usr/bin/sudo passwd root')
>
> Cause the OS to respond with:
>
> Password:
>
> How do I pass my current user's password to the prompt? I know that I
> need to store the password in a string in the script, but I don't know
> how to feed it to the waiting shell.
>
> P.S. I know this isn't safe. The script is for config purposes only and
> will be used by sys-support personnel who know the root passwords
> already. This script just *greatly* automates deployment and helps to
> standardise how systems are configured in a lagre environment.
>
> Thanks!
>[/color]

[Nicolas Fleury]

Re: pass string to a os prompt

Bart Nessux wrote:[color=blue]
> I'm writing a script that does some basic pre-configuration for our new
> Macs (OSX 10.3.2). I'm trying to enable the root account automatically
> with the script, but I don't know how to pass stings to the shell when
> it stops and awaits input. For example,
>
> os.popen('/usr/bin/sudo passwd root')
>
> Cause the OS to respond with:
>
> Password:
>
> How do I pass my current user's password to the prompt? I know that I
> need to store the password in a string in the script, but I don't know
> how to feed it to the waiting shell.[/color]

Look at popen functions. Take one that you can redirect stdin and use
it to enter the input. You can redirect stdout and check it to wait for
"Password:" .

Regards,

Nicolas

[Peter Hansen]

Re: pass string to a os prompt

Bart Nessux wrote:[color=blue]
>
> I'm writing a script that does some basic pre-configuration for our new
> Macs (OSX 10.3.2). I'm trying to enable the root account automatically
> with the script, but I don't know how to pass stings to the shell when
> it stops and awaits input. For example,
>
> os.popen('/usr/bin/sudo passwd root')[/color]

Try something like this:

os.system('echo newpass | /usr/bin/sudo passwd --stdin root')

(This works without the sudo while I was logged in as root, but I didn't
try it using sudo.)

-Peter