Whats the best way to make a script abort if an instance of it is already running? I'm on Linux.

I've done this with process id (pid) files and searching the process list from ps, but I don't know what the various pros and cons are. This seems like something that might have an established best-practice, so if you know it, I'd love to hear it.

Just in case I'm being unclear, I'll give an example. I have a process that runs every 10 minutes. It usually only takes 2 minutes to complete, but sometimes it takes 15 or 20 minutes. I don't want the new instance to step on the toes of the long-running earlier instance.

I've solved this before by the old time-honored tradition of making-something-up-as-I-go-along and I'd like to hear what other people think is the best way to handle this.

Thanks!
--Pileofrogs

In reply to Abort if instance already running? by pileofrogs

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