# 17.1 `subprocess` -- Subprocess management

New in version 2.4.

The `subprocess` module allows you to spawn new processes, connect to their input/output/error pipes, and obtain their return codes. This module intends to replace several other, older modules and functions, such as:

    os.system
    os.spawn*
    os.popen*
    popen2.*
    commands.*

Information about how the `subprocess` module can be used to replace these modules and functions can be found in the following sections.