geteditor.py

import tempfile, sys, os

def what_editor():
    editor = os.getenv('VISUAL') or os.getenv('EDITOR')
    if not editor:
        editor = 'vi'
    return editor


def get_edited_text(starting_text=''):
    temp_fd, temp_fn = tempfile.mkstemp(text=True)
    os.write(temp_fd, starting_text)
    os.close(temp_fd)
    editor = what_editor()
    proc = os.spawnlp(os.P_WAIT, editor, editor, temp_fn)
    if proc:
        raise RuntimeError, "Can't run %s %s" %(editor, temp_fn)
    result = open(temp_fn).read()
    os.unlink(temp_fn)
    return result