dash2 is definitly correct on
exec(). If you call
exec(), then no child process is created (see
this for more info). If you are using
fork() and then
exec() immidiatle, then
system() may be your friend.
If you are using
fork() without exec, then the fork funtion returns the PID of the child and
kill($pid) should work when the time comes.
Also, just a note, diffrent types of machines format
ps in slightly diffrent ways, so if you stick with ps, make sure you test on the same type of machine as the production environment.
OH, a sarcasm detector, that’s
really useful