Check this out AM: 

my $child=fork(); # Spawn off a child 
if ($child>0) {
     #parent 
     exec ($app1) || die "Could not exec $app1:$!";
     exit(0); # Should never get here!
} elsif ($child == 0 ) {
    # Child process 
     exec ($app2) || die "Could not exec $app2:$!";
     exit(0); # should never get here either
} else {
      die "Could not fork! $!";
}

[download]
For doing spawning and dying parents I much prefer the mehodology of using an exec instead of system. Evaluating $! will give you the reason you couldn't spawn the exec'ed process.

As always in Perl TIMTOWTDI and YMMV. One thing you didn't specify is what platform you are attempting this feat of derring do...

Peter L. Berghold -- Unix Professional
Peter at Berghold dot Net
   Dog trainer, dog agility exhibitor, brewer of fine Belgian style ales. Happiness is a warm, tired, contented dog curled up at your side and a good Belgian ale in your chalice.

In reply to Re: launch and then exit out of app by blue_cowdawg
in thread launch and then exit out of app by Anonymous Monk

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