Re: Launching multiple processes

Quick solution using fork and exec.

my $program = '/bin/ls';
my $num_children = 5;

$SIG{CHLD} = 'IGNORE';

for (1..$num_children) {
   defined ( my $pid = fork ) or die "Can not fork!";
   if (!$pid) {
      # in child process
      exec $program;
   }
}
[download]

Update: fixed the logical bug with fork, if fork returns pid of 0 (parent) the code would die too. undef and 0 both evaluates to false. Thanks to borisz to point out below. Zaxo is right too. ;-)

Comment on Re: Launching multiple processes Download Code

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
Re: Re: Launching multiple processes by borisz (Canon) on Jan 06, 2004 at 23:16 UTC
the fork line should be written as `defined ( my $pid = fork ) or die "Can not fork!";` [download]	[reply] [d/l]
Re: Re: Launching multiple processes by Zaxo (Archbishop) on Jan 07, 2004 at 00:01 UTC
Another bug: You have the makings of a fine fork bomb. If I calculate right, you'll get 20 instances of `/bin/ls` from that. Call the child program with `exec` or else `exit` after `system`. Don't forget to zombie-proof it with `wait` or `$SIG{CHLD)`, either. After Compline, Zaxo	[reply]