import subprocess
import sys
import time

# A command that produces output over time
# For example, pinging a server
command = ["ping", "-c", "5", "google.com"]

print(f"--- Starting command: '{' '.join(command)}' ---")

try:
    # Start the subprocess
    # stdout=subprocess.PIPE redirects the output so we can capture it
    # text=True decodes the output as text using the default encoding
    # bufsize=1 enables line-buffering for real-time output
    process = subprocess.Popen(
        command,
        stdout=subprocess.PIPE,
        stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
        text=True,
        bufsize=1
    )

    # Read the output line by line in real-time
    if process.stdout:
        for line in iter(process.stdout.readline, ''):
            print(line, end="")
            sys.stdout.flush() # Ensure the output is printed immediately

    # Wait for the process to complete and get the return code
    process.wait()
    return_code = process.returncode

    print(f"--- Command finished with exit code: {return_code} ---")

except FileNotFoundError:
    print(f"Error: Command not found: {command[0]}")
except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")