Find if a file existing within 1000s of folder/sub-folder - each file has a unique presence

[Peter Otten]

Steven D'Aprano wrote:

> Also, this only looks in the C:.../XYZ directory. I think that Python 3.4
> or better will accept a ** wildcard instead of * to look in subdirectories
> too. 

Unfortunately that's Python 3.5. You are ahead of time.

> Actually, I think you don't need the shell argument. Try this instead:
> 
> path = "c:/abc/def/ghj/main/features/XYZ/*" + str(tempID) + ".cli"
> output = subprocess.check_output(['dir', '/s', '/b', path])

"dir" used to be an internal command; back in the day you would have to 
invoke it with (untested)

check_output(["cmd", "/k", 'dir', '/s', '/b', path])

I believe on Windows path may contain wildcards -- or does subprocess escape 
these somehow? 

> That is likely to be safer and will help avoid shell injection attacks if 
> the path comes from an untrusted source. Any subprocess experts want to 
> confirm this?
 
I probably should have kept quiet to let a combined subprocess/windows 
expert chime in -- but now it's too late...