in reply to starting a process in the background, with a twist

I can't use any modules from CPAN, only those that come with one of the common Windows-oriented Perl distributions.

That's a bit like asking: "How can I get to the top of teh building when I've a broken leg and refuze to use the lift?"

I have to work in a very restricted environment where access to the internet is not allowed.

Can you carry in a flash drive? Or a CD/DVD? A floppy disk? At a pinch you could print the module(s) you need to paper at home, carry the paper in and type them in at work.

"how do I start a process in the background then kill it after a pre-defined amount of time?"

Ostensibly all you need is:


...

my $pid = system 1, q[ c:\the\path\to\theProgram.exe /option1 /option2
+ ];

sleep $timeout;

kill 2, $pid;

...

[download]

But there are always complications. You'll want to capture the output; supply "user input'; click on pop-ups; and do it from a cgi script running in a VM hosted on a remote server in Timbuktu.

With the rise and rise of 'Social' network sites: 'Computers are making people easier to use everyday'
Examine what is said, not who speaks -- Silence betokens consent -- Love the truth but pardon error.
"Science is about questioning the status quo. Questioning authority".
In the absence of evidence, opinion is indistinguishable from prejudice.

The start of some sanity?

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Re^2: starting a process in the background, with a twist
by Anonymous Monk on Mar 20, 2012 at 21:18 UTC

    Yes, I can download the tar.gzipped modules from CPAN and install them manually, but looking at the possibly relevant modules in the FAQ (Proc::Background, Win32::Process etc.) I saw that each of them has non-trivial dependencies.

    Anyway, your suggestion works (except that I needed kill 9 instead of kill 2). You are right that there are complications, for example you were right about the VM, there is one involved in the problem :), but for this specific case, it looks like that your solution will be adequate.

    Thanks!

    PS. I propose that this method (system 1, "program_name") be added to the relevant entry in perlfaq8, because it's simple and useful. A similar hack for Unix-like systems is already present there.

[reply]

      PS. I propose that this method (system 1, "program_name") be added to the relevant entry in perlfaq8, because it's simple and useful. A similar hack for Unix-like systems is already present there.

      You could propose it to the Perl5 Porters via their mailing list by submitting a patch as described in perlhack#SUPER-QUICK-PATCH-GUIDE.


      Dave

[reply]
      Maybe Win32::Spawn in Win32?
[reply]
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