code: def launch_app(app_path, params=[], time_before_kill_app=15):
      
      import subprocess
      try:
          res = subprocess.call([app_path, params], timeout=time_before_kill_app, shell=True)
          print('res = ', res)
          if res == 0:
              return True
          else:
              return False
      except Exception as ex:
          print('error launching app  ' + str(app_path) + ' with params ' + str(params) + '\n' + str(ex))
          return False
docs: start an app