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C Program: Using wait() for Child Processes

The document provides a C program that demonstrates the use of the wait() system call to wait for all child processes to finish before the parent resumes execution. It creates multiple child processes using fork(), where each child prints a message and sleeps for a random time to simulate work. The parent process waits for each child in a loop, preventing zombie processes by ensuring all child processes are properly reaped.

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11 views2 pages

C Program: Using wait() for Child Processes

The document provides a C program that demonstrates the use of the wait() system call to wait for all child processes to finish before the parent resumes execution. It creates multiple child processes using fork(), where each child prints a message and sleeps for a random time to simulate work. The parent process waits for each child in a loop, preventing zombie processes by ensuring all child processes are properly reaped.

Uploaded by

poojithamadabathula
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

(4) Write a c program to represent wait() sytem call Waiting for All Children

Here's a C program that demonstrates using the wait() system call to wait for all
child processes before the parent resumes execution.

Explanation:
 The parent process creates multiple child processes using fork().
 Each child process prints a message and sleeps for a random time to simulate
work.
 The parent waits for each child using wait() in a loop, ensuring that all child
processes finish before it continues execution.

C Program: Using wait() to Wait for All Children


#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <sys/types.h>
#include <sys/wait.h>
#include <unistd.h>

#define NUM_CHILDREN 3 // Define the number of child processes

int main() {
pid_t pids[NUM_CHILDREN];

// Creating multiple child processes


for (int i = 0; i < NUM_CHILDREN; i++) {
pids[i] = fork();

if (pids[i] < 0) {
perror("Fork failed");
exit(1);
} else if (pids[i] == 0) {
// Child process
printf("Child %d (PID: %d) is running...\n", i + 1, getpid());
sleep(2 + i); // Simulate work (different sleep times)
printf("Child %d (PID: %d) is exiting.\n", i + 1, getpid());
exit(0);
}
}

// Parent process waits for all child processes


for (int i = 0; i < NUM_CHILDREN; i++) {
wait(NULL); // Wait for any child to terminate
printf("Parent: A child process has terminated.\n");
}

printf("Parent process (PID: %d) has waited for all children. Exiting.\n",
getpid());
return 0;
}
Example Output
Child 1 (PID: 1235) is running...
Child 2 (PID: 1236) is running...
Child 3 (PID: 1237) is running...
Child 1 (PID: 1235) is exiting.
Parent: A child process has terminated.
Child 2 (PID: 1236) is exiting.
Parent: A child process has terminated.
Child 3 (PID: 1237) is exiting.
Parent: A child process has terminated.
Parent process (PID: 1234) has waited for all children. Exiting.

Key Takeaways:
 Creates multiple child processes using fork().
 Each child performs some work (sleep() simulates workload).
 Parent waits for all children using wait() in a loop.
 Prevents zombie processes by ensuring all child processes are reaped.

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