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Re: [PATCH] posix: New function posix_spawn_file_actions_addchdir_np [BZ #17405]


On Thu, Nov 01, 2018 at 12:06:39PM +0100, Florian Weimer wrote:
> * Carlos O'Donell:
> 
> > How about something shorter like:
> >
> > "Execute a child process without fork"

Omitting the word program fails to get across the main point I think
-- that it's a new program (executable file) being run.

> I think the reference point should not be fork, but popen and system.
> The theme should be one of these:
> 
>   “Start a program in a subprocess”
>   “Launch a separate program”

Yes. I agree it's more closely associated with these, but I hope the
placement will draw attention to it as a better alternative to
fork+exec as well. In some sense exec belongs here as "replace the
current process..."

> I would say the key differences are:
> 
> * More control over the descriptors and other process properties.
> * The shell is not used.
> * Execution can be interleaved with the existing process (unlike system).

Also, system() alters global signal disposition and is not suitable
for use in a multithreaded program.

Rich


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