Python 3.3 introduces timeout support in subprocess.call, implemented by sending a SIGKILL if the Popen.wait is interrupted by a TimeoutExpired exception.
However, the "except" clause is too broad, and will, for instance, trigger on a KeyboardInterrupt. For practical purposes, this means that sending a Ctrl-C to a python program before 3.3 sent a SIGINT to both the parent and subprocess.call()d child, whereas under 3.3+ sends a SIGINT _and_ a SIGKILL to the child. The child will not be able to clean up appropriately.
For a real world example of this, see http://stackoverflow.com/q/34458583/132382
The fix is, I think, simply changing the clause to "except TimeoutExpired". At least, that works for me. See attached patch. |