Python to check status of the port in linux machine

[pythi1 n]

Hi ALL,

I'm working on a module installation script for linux using python,
I need a ex script to check wheather the port is free or listening before using it for installtion,
EX: Imagine if the port 1234 is already used for some process in the liunux machine 5.6.7.8,
This can be found using command
$netstat -anp | grep 1234

if u guys know how to invoke and check the same, i need to use the result of the above command in my python for further process i used os.system() command but the output is not as expected,

[dwblas]

Subprocess replaces os.system. See "Capturing Output" here.