[Tutor] Changing (Unix) environment for python shell/popen() commands

[Scott W]

Hey all.

I'm unfortunately stuck using python 1.5.2, primarily on Linux 
currently, and have done the usual searching (on list, active state, 
google), without luck.

I've got to shell out from my python code to execute a command, but 
_must_ set the environment at the same time (or prior to execution).  I 
say must, because in this case the obvious answer of modifying the 
command to be called or wrapping it with a shell script to set the 
environment won't work/isn't going to happen.

I saw some comments about setting os.environ[<some shell var>], but 
didn't seem to be seeing this work in subsequent calls using popen2().

Does anyone have a working piece of code setting some env variable 
successfully prior to(or along with) calling popen2() (or friends).

Also, is there any way to get the called programs return code via 
popen() (again, under python 1.5.2)?

I know this has been asked often enough, but once again, it seems I'm 
left wanting for _good_ documentation under python (ie compared to man 
pages, DevStudio Win32 docs, Linux info, Java docs, etc), including the 
half dozen python books I own  (great for some things, but no reference 
whatsoever to other things that I'd think would warrant some coverage)..

Thanks,

Scott