On Thu, 2009-10-15, TerryP wrote: ... > launching external programs, irregardless of language, generally falls > into 3 major categories: > > 0.) blocks until program is done; like system > 1.) replaces your program with process, never returns; like exec > 2.) quickly return after asynchronously launching the program > > Most languages will implement the first method because of the standard > system() function in C, which is fairly popular in it's own right. > Most multi-tasking operating systems will implement some form of exec > function, which Python exposes through the os module. The last method > is the least portable, because obviously if the OS lacks multi-tasking > you're screwed. The best examples of 2. are the UNIX popen() function > and Microsoft's spawn() family, when used with the P_DETACH flag.
Not sure that popen() fits nicely into that category -- you have to eat the child's output or feed it with input, or it will eventually stall. > Python being made with much loving kindless, exposes each interface. Nicely put! /Jorgen -- // Jorgen Grahn <grahn@ Oo o. . . \X/ snipabacken.se> O o . -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
