What’s the Best Way to Create APIs for Command Line Executables?

I'd advise avoiding `os.system` due to issues with argument parsing, particularly with spaces in URLs. Instead, use either `subprocess.run` with `check=True` for error handling or `Popen` if you need non-blocking behavior for long-running apps like text editors. Stick with `subprocess.run` for command-line tools for more control and visibility over the command's results.

Instead of directly interacting with the executable, consider using libraries like libgit2 for specific tasks, such as for Git. While it's written in C, you can create Python bindings. However, not every executable has a dedicated library, so knowing this can help you understand the limitations of your approach.

Good question! Keep in mind that there are various approaches depending on your specific needs. A well-tested example of this can be found in the Emscripten project, which wraps CLI utilities, notably through their `emcc.py` script. For interactive tools, think about piping streams or using forks, but this can get tricky, especially with executables that communicate via file systems. For cases where you manage both the caller and the callee, consider using HTTP requests as it simplifies communication.