How can Python access the X11 clipboard?

Question

I want my Python script to be able to copy and paste to/from the clipboard via x11 (so that it will work on Linux). Can anyone point me to specific resources I can look at, or the concepts I would have to master?

Is this possible to do with the Python X library at http://python-xlib.sourceforge.net ?

Answer 1

you might find this thread useful: How does X11 clipboard handle multiple data formats?

Answer 2

You can do this with pygtk. A clean solution but might be a bit overkill depending on your application.

Another method that gets some google-hits is to make a system call to xsel.

Answer 3

I favor a Tkinter-based solution over one which requires pygtk, simply because of the potential the latter has for installation challenges. Given this, my recommendation to Alvin Smith is to read:

• Tkinter Clipboard Access
• Cut & Paste Text Between Tkinter Widgets