start an app

def launch_app(app_path, params=[], time_before_kill_app=15):
    """
    start an app
    """
    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