How to Pass dict Arguments via SSH to a Python Script

Описание: Discover how to correctly pass `dict` arguments over SSH to a Python script without running into syntax errors. Learn the steps to serialize, transfer, and decode your data seamlessly.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/63866638/ asked by the user 'Jagadeesh' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/14266296/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/63866698/ provided by the user 'Kavindu Pasan Kavithilaka' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/13784005/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to Pass dict Arguments via SSH to a Python Script

In the world of programming, being able to pass complex data structures, such as dictionaries, between different environments is crucial for many applications. One common scenario is when you need to execute a Python script on a remote server via SSH, and you want to send dict objects as arguments. However, as many have discovered, this can come with its challenges, particularly when it comes to syntax errors.

The Problem at Hand

If you're trying to send dict arguments using the Python os module and the ssh command, you might encounter syntax errors. For example, you might find that while passing a simple string works fine, passing a dictionary leads to unexpected token errors. Here's a typical error you might encounter:

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This error occurs because operating systems like Unix-based systems don't handle Python dictionaries (or other complex objects) well when sent directly as command-line arguments.

The Solution: Using JSON and URL Encoding

The good news is that there's a straightforward way to tackle this problem! By converting your dictionaries into JSON format and encoding them using URL encoding, you can safely transfer them over SSH. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Preparing Your Data

First, you need to convert your dictionaries into a JSON string and then URL-encode them. Here’s how you can do it in Python:

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Step 2: Executing the SSH Command

After encoding your dictionaries, use the os.system command to execute your SSH call:

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This command will SSH into remote_host, run the Python script, and pass the encoded dictionaries as arguments.

Step 3: Decoding in the Remote Script

To use these dictionaries in your remote Python script, you'll need to decode them back from the URL format and parse them back into dictionaries:

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Summary

Passing dict arguments over SSH to a Python script might seem daunting due to syntax errors, but it can be tackled efficiently using JSON and URL encoding. By serializing the dictionaries and securely encoding them, you can ensure an error-free transfer and successful execution of your script on the remote server.

Recap of Steps

Convert dictionaries to a JSON string.

URL-encode the JSON strings.

Pass the encoded strings to the SSH command.

Decode and parse the strings back into dictionaries in the remote Python script.

By following these simple steps, you can easily manage complex data transfers in your Python applications.