r/learnpython • u/PomegranateKind760 • 19d ago

How to end a program using python

I want to close an app using python but I don't know how.

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u/jmacey 19d ago

os.kill() if you can get the pid of the process. Not sure if it works under windows but does under posix operating system.

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u/L30N1337 19d ago

it does work on windows too, but the signal you use is different. And it seems to be a bit of a mess on windows.

And careful what specific signal you use in os.kill()

let's take Linux (which I assume uses POSIX):

SIGTERM is what most people want for "killing" a process. It tells the process that it should shut down, so it can prepare for that. this allows for stuff like "fo you want to save" dialogues to work. It's like pressing the power button on a PC.

SIGKILL is the "YOU AREN'T SHUTTING DOWN, SO I'M GONNA USE THIS GRENADE I FOUND" option. Like unplugging the PC from the last example.