How to execute compiled python code

Question

I have a compiled Python file, path/program.pyc.

I want to execute it with my current globals() and locals(). I tried:

with open('path/program.pyc','rb') as f:
   code = f.read()
   exec(code, globals(), locals())

More specifically, what I want to have is:

a.py:

a = 1
# somehow run b.pyc

b.py:

print(a)

When I run a.py, I want to see the output: 1.

Actually execfile() does exactly what I want, but it only works for .py files not .pyc files. I am looking for a version of execfile() that works for .pyc files.

A simple way would be to uncompyle the pyc, for small files that would involve very little overhead. https://github.com/wibiti/uncompyle2 — Padraic Cunningham, Aug 27 '15 at 23:41
@PadraicCunningham I see. Thanks. However, isn't it upsetting you too that not being able to use the `.pyc` right away without bothering to uncompyle? Python should have been making things easier, not harder. Right? — Sait, Aug 27 '15 at 23:46
I guess it is down to the fact that it is much easier go from source to bytecode than to bytecode to source although that is not to say that it cannot be done, I just thought of uncompyle when I saw the question, I have used it quite a few times and it worked well always. — Padraic Cunningham, Aug 28 '15 at 00:06
If you do want to go down the uncompyle route, http://pastebin.com/209wP33v — Padraic Cunningham, Aug 28 '15 at 00:25
@PadraicCunningham Can you post your answer as a normal answer instead of comment so that I can upvote/accept it. — Sait, Aug 28 '15 at 00:27
sure done, you might be a better answer so no hurry in accepting — Padraic Cunningham, Aug 28 '15 at 00:34
The variable `a` is undefined in module `b` so how would you expect that to work? — Justin Ezequiel, Jun 11 '21 at 14:29

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Aug 28 '15 at 00:32

There may be a better way but using uncompyle2 to get the source and execing will do what you need:

a = 1

import uncompyle2
from StringIO import StringIO
f = StringIO()
uncompyle2.uncompyle_file('path/program.pyc', f)
f.seek(0)
exec(f.read(), globals(), locals())

Running b.pyc from a should output 1.

score -3 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 11 '21 at 13:54

-3

Use __import__

Note that you need to use standard python package notation rather than a path and you will need to make sure your file is on sys.path

Something like __import__('path.program', globals(), locals()) should do the trick.

edited Jun 11 '21 at 13:54

ThePyGuy

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answered Aug 27 '15 at 22:08

Tim Wakeham

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Hey, thanks for the answer but I couldn't make it work. I updated my question with the details. – Sait Aug 27 '15 at 22:21
When you import a python package you don't put '.py' on the end. Look at my example again, there is no '.pyc' – Tim Wakeham Aug 27 '15 at 22:32
Did you read what I said? Leave it out completely. `__import__('b', globals(), locals())` – Tim Wakeham Aug 27 '15 at 22:36
Same error. Can you please put an example in your answer? – Sait Aug 27 '15 at 22:37

How to execute compiled python code

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