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author | Kenichi Handa <handa@m17n.org> |
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date | Tue, 21 Oct 1997 10:45:26 +0000 |
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@c -*-texinfo-*- @c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual. @c Copyright (C) 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 Free Software Foundation, Inc. @c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions. @setfilename ../info/processes @node Processes, System Interface, Abbrevs, Top @chapter Processes @cindex child process @cindex parent process @cindex subprocess @cindex process In the terminology of operating systems, a @dfn{process} is a space in which a program can execute. Emacs runs in a process. Emacs Lisp programs can invoke other programs in processes of their own. These are called @dfn{subprocesses} or @dfn{child processes} of the Emacs process, which is their @dfn{parent process}. A subprocess of Emacs may be @dfn{synchronous} or @dfn{asynchronous}, depending on how it is created. When you create a synchronous subprocess, the Lisp program waits for the subprocess to terminate before continuing execution. When you create an asynchronous subprocess, it can run in parallel with the Lisp program. This kind of subprocess is represented within Emacs by a Lisp object which is also called a ``process''. Lisp programs can use this object to communicate with the subprocess or to control it. For example, you can send signals, obtain status information, receive output from the process, or send input to it. @defun processp object This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} is a process, @code{nil} otherwise. @end defun @menu * Subprocess Creation:: Functions that start subprocesses. * Synchronous Processes:: Details of using synchronous subprocesses. * MS-DOS Subprocesses:: On MS-DOS, you must indicate text vs binary for data sent to and from a subprocess. * Asynchronous Processes:: Starting up an asynchronous subprocess. * Deleting Processes:: Eliminating an asynchronous subprocess. * Process Information:: Accessing run-status and other attributes. * Input to Processes:: Sending input to an asynchronous subprocess. * Signals to Processes:: Stopping, continuing or interrupting an asynchronous subprocess. * Output from Processes:: Collecting output from an asynchronous subprocess. * Sentinels:: Sentinels run when process run-status changes. * Transaction Queues:: Transaction-based communication with subprocesses. * Network:: Opening network connections. @end menu @node Subprocess Creation @section Functions that Create Subprocesses There are three functions that create a new subprocess in which to run a program. One of them, @code{start-process}, creates an asynchronous process and returns a process object (@pxref{Asynchronous Processes}). The other two, @code{call-process} and @code{call-process-region}, create a synchronous process and do not return a process object (@pxref{Synchronous Processes}). Synchronous and asynchronous processes are explained in following sections. Since the three functions are all called in a similar fashion, their common arguments are described here. @cindex execute program @cindex @code{PATH} environment variable @cindex @code{HOME} environment variable In all cases, the function's @var{program} argument specifies the program to be run. An error is signaled if the file is not found or cannot be executed. If the file name is relative, the variable @code{exec-path} contains a list of directories to search. Emacs initializes @code{exec-path} when it starts up, based on the value of the environment variable @code{PATH}. The standard file name constructs, @samp{~}, @samp{.}, and @samp{..}, are interpreted as usual in @code{exec-path}, but environment variable substitutions (@samp{$HOME}, etc.) are not recognized; use @code{substitute-in-file-name} to perform them (@pxref{File Name Expansion}). Each of the subprocess-creating functions has a @var{buffer-or-name} argument which specifies where the standard output from the program will go. If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil}, that says to discard the output unless a filter function handles it. (@xref{Filter Functions}, and @ref{Read and Print}.) Normally, you should avoid having multiple processes send output to the same buffer because their output would be intermixed randomly. @cindex program arguments All three of the subprocess-creating functions have a @code{&rest} argument, @var{args}. The @var{args} must all be strings, and they are supplied to @var{program} as separate command line arguments. Wildcard characters and other shell constructs are not allowed in these strings, since they are passed directly to the specified program. @strong{Please note:} The argument @var{program} contains only the name of the program; it may not contain any command-line arguments. You must use @var{args} to provide those. The subprocess gets its current directory from the value of @code{default-directory} (@pxref{File Name Expansion}). @cindex environment variables, subprocesses The subprocess inherits its environment from Emacs; but you can specify overrides for it with @code{process-environment}. @xref{System Environment}. @defvar exec-directory @pindex movemail The value of this variable is the name of a directory (a string) that contains programs that come with GNU Emacs, that are intended for Emacs to invoke. The program @code{movemail} is an example of such a program; Rmail uses it to fetch new mail from an inbox. @end defvar @defopt exec-path The value of this variable is a list of directories to search for programs to run in subprocesses. Each element is either the name of a directory (i.e., a string), or @code{nil}, which stands for the default directory (which is the value of @code{default-directory}). @cindex program directories The value of @code{exec-path} is used by @code{call-process} and @code{start-process} when the @var{program} argument is not an absolute file name. @end defopt @node Synchronous Processes @section Creating a Synchronous Process @cindex synchronous subprocess After a @dfn{synchronous process} is created, Emacs waits for the process to terminate before continuing. Starting Dired is an example of this: it runs @code{ls} in a synchronous process, then modifies the output slightly. Because the process is synchronous, the entire directory listing arrives in the buffer before Emacs tries to do anything with it. While Emacs waits for the synchronous subprocess to terminate, the user can quit by typing @kbd{C-g}. The first @kbd{C-g} tries to kill the subprocess with a @code{SIGINT} signal; but it waits until the subprocess actually terminates before quitting. If during that time the user types another @kbd{C-g}, that kills the subprocess instantly with @code{SIGKILL} and quits immediately. @xref{Quitting}. The synchronous subprocess functions returned @code{nil} in version 18. In version 19, they return an indication of how the process terminated. @defun call-process program &optional infile destination display &rest args This function calls @var{program} in a separate process and waits for it to finish. The standard input for the process comes from file @var{infile} if @var{infile} is not @code{nil} and from @file{/dev/null} otherwise. The argument @var{destination} says where to put the process output. Here are the possibilities: @table @asis @item a buffer Insert the output in that buffer, before point. This includes both the standard output stream and the standard error stream of the process. @item a string Find the buffer with that name, then insert the output in that buffer, before point. @item @code{t} Insert the output in the current buffer, before point. @item @code{nil} Discard the output. @item 0 Discard the output, and return immediately without waiting for the subprocess to finish. In this case, the process is not truly synchronous, since it can run in parallel with Emacs; but you can think of it as synchronous in that Emacs is essentially finished with the subprocess as soon as this function returns. @item (@var{real-destination} @var{error-destination}) Keep the standard output stream separate from the standard error stream; deal with the ordinary output as specified by @var{real-destination}, and dispose of the error output according to @var{error-destination}. The value @code{nil} means discard it, @code{t} means mix it with the ordinary output, and a string specifies a file name to redirect error output into. You can't directly specify a buffer to put the error output in; that is too difficult to implement. But you can achieve this result by sending the error output to a temporary file and then inserting the file into a buffer. @end table If @var{display} is non-@code{nil}, then @code{call-process} redisplays the buffer as output is inserted. Otherwise the function does no redisplay, and the results become visible on the screen only when Emacs redisplays that buffer in the normal course of events. The remaining arguments, @var{args}, are strings that specify command line arguments for the program. The value returned by @code{call-process} (unless you told it not to wait) indicates the reason for process termination. A number gives the exit status of the subprocess; 0 means success, and any other value means failure. If the process terminated with a signal, @code{call-process} returns a string describing the signal. In the examples below, the buffer @samp{foo} is current. @smallexample @group (call-process "pwd" nil t) @result{} nil ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- /usr/user/lewis/manual ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- @end group @group (call-process "grep" nil "bar" nil "lewis" "/etc/passwd") @result{} nil ---------- Buffer: bar ---------- lewis:5LTsHm66CSWKg:398:21:Bil Lewis:/user/lewis:/bin/csh ---------- Buffer: bar ---------- @end group @end smallexample The @code{insert-directory} function contains a good example of the use of @code{call-process}: @smallexample @group (call-process insert-directory-program nil t nil switches (if full-directory-p (concat (file-name-as-directory file) ".") file)) @end group @end smallexample @end defun @defun call-process-region start end program &optional delete destination display &rest args This function sends the text between @var{start} to @var{end} as standard input to a process running @var{program}. It deletes the text sent if @var{delete} is non-@code{nil}; this is useful when @var{buffer} is @code{t}, to insert the output in the current buffer. The arguments @var{destination} and @var{display} control what to do with the output from the subprocess, and whether to update the display as it comes in. For details, see the description of @code{call-process}, above. If @var{destination} is the integer 0, @code{call-process-region} discards the output and returns @code{nil} immediately, without waiting for the subprocess to finish. The remaining arguments, @var{args}, are strings that specify command line arguments for the program. The return value of @code{call-process-region} is just like that of @code{call-process}: @code{nil} if you told it to return without waiting; otherwise, a number or string which indicates how the subprocess terminated. In the following example, we use @code{call-process-region} to run the @code{cat} utility, with standard input being the first five characters in buffer @samp{foo} (the word @samp{input}). @code{cat} copies its standard input into its standard output. Since the argument @var{destination} is @code{t}, this output is inserted in the current buffer. @smallexample @group ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- input@point{} ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- @end group @group (call-process-region 1 6 "cat" nil t) @result{} nil ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- inputinput@point{} ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- @end group @end smallexample The @code{shell-command-on-region} command uses @code{call-process-region} like this: @smallexample @group (call-process-region start end shell-file-name ; @r{Name of program.} nil ; @r{Do not delete region.} buffer ; @r{Send output to @code{buffer}.} nil ; @r{No redisplay during output.} "-c" command) ; @r{Arguments for the shell.} @end group @end smallexample @end defun @node MS-DOS Subprocesses @section MS-DOS Subprocesses On MS-DOS, you must indicate whether the data going to and from a synchronous subprocess are text or binary. Text data requires translation between the end-of-line convention used within Emacs (a single newline character) and the convention used outside Emacs (the two-character sequence, @sc{crlf}). The variable @code{binary-process-input} applies to input sent to the subprocess, and @code{binary-process-output} applies to output received from it. A non-@code{nil} value means the data is non-text; @code{nil} means the data is text, and calls for conversion. @defvar binary-process-input If this variable is @code{nil}, convert newlines to @sc{crlf} sequences in the input to a synchronous subprocess. @end defvar @defvar binary-process-output If this variable is @code{nil}, convert @sc{crlf} sequences to newlines in the output from a synchronous subprocess. @end defvar @xref{Files and MS-DOS}, for related information. @node Asynchronous Processes @section Creating an Asynchronous Process @cindex asynchronous subprocess After an @dfn{asynchronous process} is created, Emacs and the Lisp program both continue running immediately. The process may thereafter run in parallel with Emacs, and the two may communicate with each other using the functions described in following sections. Here we describe how to create an asynchronous process with @code{start-process}. @defun start-process name buffer-or-name program &rest args This function creates a new asynchronous subprocess and starts the program @var{program} running in it. It returns a process object that stands for the new subprocess in Lisp. The argument @var{name} specifies the name for the process object; if a process with this name already exists, then @var{name} is modified (by adding @samp{<1>}, etc.) to be unique. The buffer @var{buffer-or-name} is the buffer to associate with the process. The remaining arguments, @var{args}, are strings that specify command line arguments for the program. In the example below, the first process is started and runs (rather, sleeps) for 100 seconds. Meanwhile, the second process is started, and given the name @samp{my-process<1>} for the sake of uniqueness. It inserts the directory listing at the end of the buffer @samp{foo}, before the first process finishes. Then it finishes, and a message to that effect is inserted in the buffer. Much later, the first process finishes, and another message is inserted in the buffer for it. @smallexample @group (start-process "my-process" "foo" "sleep" "100") @result{} #<process my-process> @end group @group (start-process "my-process" "foo" "ls" "-l" "/user/lewis/bin") @result{} #<process my-process<1>> ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- total 2 lrwxrwxrwx 1 lewis 14 Jul 22 10:12 gnuemacs --> /emacs -rwxrwxrwx 1 lewis 19 Jul 30 21:02 lemon Process my-process<1> finished Process my-process finished ---------- Buffer: foo ---------- @end group @end smallexample @end defun @defun start-process-shell-command name buffer-or-name command &rest command-args This function is like @code{start-process} except that it uses a shell to execute the specified command. The argument @var{command} is a shell command name, and @var{command-args} are the arguments for the shell command. @end defun @defvar process-connection-type @cindex pipes @cindex @sc{pty}s This variable controls the type of device used to communicate with asynchronous subprocesses. If it is non-@code{nil}, then @sc{pty}s are used, when available. Otherwise, pipes are used. @sc{pty}s are usually preferable for processes visible to the user, as in Shell mode, because they allow job control (@kbd{C-c}, @kbd{C-z}, etc.) to work between the process and its children whereas pipes do not. For subprocesses used for internal purposes by programs, it is often better to use a pipe, because they are more efficient. In addition, the total number of @sc{pty}s is limited on many systems and it is good not to waste them. The value @code{process-connection-type} is used when @code{start-process} is called. So you can specify how to communicate with one subprocess by binding the variable around the call to @code{start-process}. @smallexample @group (let ((process-connection-type nil)) ; @r{Use a pipe.} (start-process @dots{})) @end group @end smallexample To determine whether a given subprocess actually got a pipe or a @sc{pty}, use the function @code{process-tty-name} (@pxref{Process Information}). @end defvar @node Deleting Processes @section Deleting Processes @cindex deleting processes @dfn{Deleting a process} disconnects Emacs immediately from the subprocess, and removes it from the list of active processes. It sends a signal to the subprocess to make the subprocess terminate, but this is not guaranteed to happen immediately. The process object itself continues to exist as long as other Lisp objects point to it. The process mark continues to point to the same place as before (usually into a buffer where output from the process was being inserted). You can delete a process explicitly at any time. Processes are deleted automatically after they terminate, but not necessarily right away. If you delete a terminated process explicitly before it is deleted automatically, no harm results. @defvar delete-exited-processes This variable controls automatic deletion of processes that have terminated (due to calling @code{exit} or to a signal). If it is @code{nil}, then they continue to exist until the user runs @code{list-processes}. Otherwise, they are deleted immediately after they exit. @end defvar @defun delete-process name This function deletes the process associated with @var{name}, killing it with a @code{SIGHUP} signal. The argument @var{name} may be a process, the name of a process, a buffer, or the name of a buffer. @smallexample @group (delete-process "*shell*") @result{} nil @end group @end smallexample @end defun @defun process-kill-without-query process This function declares that Emacs need not query the user if @var{process} is still running when Emacs is exited. The process will be deleted silently. The value is @code{t}. @smallexample @group (process-kill-without-query (get-process "shell")) @result{} t @end group @end smallexample @end defun @node Process Information @section Process Information Several functions return information about processes. @code{list-processes} is provided for interactive use. @deffn Command list-processes This command displays a listing of all living processes. In addition, it finally deletes any process whose status was @samp{Exited} or @samp{Signaled}. It returns @code{nil}. @end deffn @defun process-list This function returns a list of all processes that have not been deleted. @smallexample @group (process-list) @result{} (#<process display-time> #<process shell>) @end group @end smallexample @end defun @defun get-process name This function returns the process named @var{name}, or @code{nil} if there is none. An error is signaled if @var{name} is not a string. @smallexample @group (get-process "shell") @result{} #<process shell> @end group @end smallexample @end defun @defun process-command process This function returns the command that was executed to start @var{process}. This is a list of strings, the first string being the program executed and the rest of the strings being the arguments that were given to the program. @smallexample @group (process-command (get-process "shell")) @result{} ("/bin/csh" "-i") @end group @end smallexample @end defun @defun process-id process This function returns the @sc{pid} of @var{process}. This is an integer that distinguishes the process @var{process} from all other processes running on the same computer at the current time. The @sc{pid} of a process is chosen by the operating system kernel when the process is started and remains constant as long as the process exists. @end defun @defun process-name process This function returns the name of @var{process}. @end defun @defun process-status process-name This function returns the status of @var{process-name} as a symbol. The argument @var{process-name} must be a process, a buffer, a process name (string) or a buffer name (string). The possible values for an actual subprocess are: @table @code @item run for a process that is running. @item stop for a process that is stopped but continuable. @item exit for a process that has exited. @item signal for a process that has received a fatal signal. @item open for a network connection that is open. @item closed for a network connection that is closed. Once a connection is closed, you cannot reopen it, though you might be able to open a new connection to the same place. @item nil if @var{process-name} is not the name of an existing process. @end table @smallexample @group (process-status "shell") @result{} run @end group @group (process-status (get-buffer "*shell*")) @result{} run @end group @group x @result{} #<process xx<1>> (process-status x) @result{} exit @end group @end smallexample For a network connection, @code{process-status} returns one of the symbols @code{open} or @code{closed}. The latter means that the other side closed the connection, or Emacs did @code{delete-process}. In earlier Emacs versions (prior to version 19), the status of a network connection was @code{run} if open, and @code{exit} if closed. @end defun @defun process-exit-status process This function returns the exit status of @var{process} or the signal number that killed it. (Use the result of @code{process-status} to determine which of those it is.) If @var{process} has not yet terminated, the value is 0. @end defun @defun process-tty-name process This function returns the terminal name that @var{process} is using for its communication with Emacs---or @code{nil} if it is using pipes instead of a terminal (see @code{process-connection-type} in @ref{Asynchronous Processes}). @end defun @node Input to Processes @section Sending Input to Processes @cindex process input Asynchronous subprocesses receive input when it is sent to them by Emacs, which is done with the functions in this section. You must specify the process to send input to, and the input data to send. The data appears on the ``standard input'' of the subprocess. Some operating systems have limited space for buffered input in a @sc{pty}. On these systems, Emacs sends an @sc{eof} periodically amidst the other characters, to force them through. For most programs, these @sc{eof}s do no harm. @defun process-send-string process-name string This function sends @var{process-name} the contents of @var{string} as standard input. The argument @var{process-name} must be a process or the name of a process. If it is @code{nil}, the current buffer's process is used. The function returns @code{nil}. @smallexample @group (process-send-string "shell<1>" "ls\n") @result{} nil @end group @group ---------- Buffer: *shell* ---------- ... introduction.texi syntax-tables.texi~ introduction.texi~ text.texi introduction.txt text.texi~ ... ---------- Buffer: *shell* ---------- @end group @end smallexample @end defun @deffn Command process-send-region process-name start end This function sends the text in the region defined by @var{start} and @var{end} as standard input to @var{process-name}, which is a process or a process name. (If it is @code{nil}, the current buffer's process is used.) An error is signaled unless both @var{start} and @var{end} are integers or markers that indicate positions in the current buffer. (It is unimportant which number is larger.) @end deffn @defun process-send-eof &optional process-name This function makes @var{process-name} see an end-of-file in its input. The @sc{eof} comes after any text already sent to it. If @var{process-name} is not supplied, or if it is @code{nil}, then this function sends the @sc{eof} to the current buffer's process. An error is signaled if the current buffer has no process. The function returns @var{process-name}. @smallexample @group (process-send-eof "shell") @result{} "shell" @end group @end smallexample @end defun @node Signals to Processes @section Sending Signals to Processes @cindex process signals @cindex sending signals @cindex signals @dfn{Sending a signal} to a subprocess is a way of interrupting its activities. There are several different signals, each with its own meaning. The set of signals and their names is defined by the operating system. For example, the signal @code{SIGINT} means that the user has typed @kbd{C-c}, or that some analogous thing has happened. Each signal has a standard effect on the subprocess. Most signals kill the subprocess, but some stop or resume execution instead. Most signals can optionally be handled by programs; if the program handles the signal, then we can say nothing in general about its effects. You can send signals explicitly by calling the functions in this section. Emacs also sends signals automatically at certain times: killing a buffer sends a @code{SIGHUP} signal to all its associated processes; killing Emacs sends a @code{SIGHUP} signal to all remaining processes. (@code{SIGHUP} is a signal that usually indicates that the user hung up the phone.) Each of the signal-sending functions takes two optional arguments: @var{process-name} and @var{current-group}. The argument @var{process-name} must be either a process, the name of one, or @code{nil}. If it is @code{nil}, the process defaults to the process associated with the current buffer. An error is signaled if @var{process-name} does not identify a process. The argument @var{current-group} is a flag that makes a difference when you are running a job-control shell as an Emacs subprocess. If it is non-@code{nil}, then the signal is sent to the current process-group of the terminal that Emacs uses to communicate with the subprocess. If the process is a job-control shell, this means the shell's current subjob. If it is @code{nil}, the signal is sent to the process group of the immediate subprocess of Emacs. If the subprocess is a job-control shell, this is the shell itself. The flag @var{current-group} has no effect when a pipe is used to communicate with the subprocess, because the operating system does not support the distinction in the case of pipes. For the same reason, job-control shells won't work when a pipe is used. See @code{process-connection-type} in @ref{Asynchronous Processes}. @defun interrupt-process &optional process-name current-group This function interrupts the process @var{process-name} by sending the signal @code{SIGINT}. Outside of Emacs, typing the ``interrupt character'' (normally @kbd{C-c} on some systems, and @code{DEL} on others) sends this signal. When the argument @var{current-group} is non-@code{nil}, you can think of this function as ``typing @kbd{C-c}'' on the terminal by which Emacs talks to the subprocess. @end defun @defun kill-process &optional process-name current-group This function kills the process @var{process-name} by sending the signal @code{SIGKILL}. This signal kills the subprocess immediately, and cannot be handled by the subprocess. @end defun @defun quit-process &optional process-name current-group This function sends the signal @code{SIGQUIT} to the process @var{process-name}. This signal is the one sent by the ``quit character'' (usually @kbd{C-b} or @kbd{C-\}) when you are not inside Emacs. @end defun @defun stop-process &optional process-name current-group This function stops the process @var{process-name} by sending the signal @code{SIGTSTP}. Use @code{continue-process} to resume its execution. On systems with job control, the ``stop character'' (usually @kbd{C-z}) sends this signal (outside of Emacs). When @var{current-group} is non-@code{nil}, you can think of this function as ``typing @kbd{C-z}'' on the terminal Emacs uses to communicate with the subprocess. @end defun @defun continue-process &optional process-name current-group This function resumes execution of the process @var{process} by sending it the signal @code{SIGCONT}. This presumes that @var{process-name} was stopped previously. @end defun @c Emacs 19 feature @defun signal-process pid signal This function sends a signal to process @var{pid}, which need not be a child of Emacs. The argument @var{signal} specifies which signal to send; it should be an integer. @end defun @node Output from Processes @section Receiving Output from Processes @cindex process output @cindex output from processes There are two ways to receive the output that a subprocess writes to its standard output stream. The output can be inserted in a buffer, which is called the associated buffer of the process, or a function called the @dfn{filter function} can be called to act on the output. If the process has no buffer and no filter function, its output is discarded. @menu * Process Buffers:: If no filter, output is put in a buffer. * Filter Functions:: Filter functions accept output from the process. * Accepting Output:: Explicitly permitting subprocess output. Waiting for subprocess output. @end menu @node Process Buffers @subsection Process Buffers A process can (and usually does) have an @dfn{associated buffer}, which is an ordinary Emacs buffer that is used for two purposes: storing the output from the process, and deciding when to kill the process. You can also use the buffer to identify a process to operate on, since in normal practice only one process is associated with any given buffer. Many applications of processes also use the buffer for editing input to be sent to the process, but this is not built into Emacs Lisp. Unless the process has a filter function (@pxref{Filter Functions}), its output is inserted in the associated buffer. The position to insert the output is determined by the @code{process-mark}, which is then updated to point to the end of the text just inserted. Usually, but not always, the @code{process-mark} is at the end of the buffer. @defun process-buffer process This function returns the associated buffer of the process @var{process}. @smallexample @group (process-buffer (get-process "shell")) @result{} #<buffer *shell*> @end group @end smallexample @end defun @defun process-mark process This function returns the process marker for @var{process}, which is the marker that says where to insert output from the process. If @var{process} does not have a buffer, @code{process-mark} returns a marker that points nowhere. Insertion of process output in a buffer uses this marker to decide where to insert, and updates it to point after the inserted text. That is why successive batches of output are inserted consecutively. Filter functions normally should use this marker in the same fashion as is done by direct insertion of output in the buffer. A good example of a filter function that uses @code{process-mark} is found at the end of the following section. When the user is expected to enter input in the process buffer for transmission to the process, the process marker is useful for distinguishing the new input from previous output. @end defun @defun set-process-buffer process buffer This function sets the buffer associated with @var{process} to @var{buffer}. If @var{buffer} is @code{nil}, the process becomes associated with no buffer. @end defun @defun get-buffer-process buffer-or-name This function returns the process associated with @var{buffer-or-name}. If there are several processes associated with it, then one is chosen. (Presently, the one chosen is the one most recently created.) It is usually a bad idea to have more than one process associated with the same buffer. @smallexample @group (get-buffer-process "*shell*") @result{} #<process shell> @end group @end smallexample Killing the process's buffer deletes the process, which kills the subprocess with a @code{SIGHUP} signal (@pxref{Signals to Processes}). @end defun @node Filter Functions @subsection Process Filter Functions @cindex filter function @cindex process filter A process @dfn{filter function} is a function that receives the standard output from the associated process. If a process has a filter, then @emph{all} output from that process is passed to the filter. The process buffer is used directly for output from the process only when there is no filter. A filter function must accept two arguments: the associated process and a string, which is the output. The function is then free to do whatever it chooses with the output. A filter function runs only while Emacs is waiting (e.g., for terminal input, or for time to elapse, or for process output). This avoids the timing errors that could result from running filters at random places in the middle of other Lisp programs. You may explicitly cause Emacs to wait, so that filter functions will run, by calling @code{sit-for} or @code{sleep-for} (@pxref{Waiting}), or @code{accept-process-output} (@pxref{Accepting Output}). Emacs is also waiting when the command loop is reading input. Quitting is normally inhibited within a filter function---otherwise, the effect of typing @kbd{C-g} at command level or to quit a user command would be unpredictable. If you want to permit quitting inside a filter function, bind @code{inhibit-quit} to @code{nil}. @xref{Quitting}. If an error happens during execution of a filter function, it is caught automatically, so that it doesn't stop the execution of whatever program was running when the filter function was started. However, if @code{debug-on-error} is non-@code{nil}, the error-catching is turned off. This makes it possible to use the Lisp debugger to debug the filter function. @xref{Debugger}. Many filter functions sometimes or always insert the text in the process's buffer, mimicking the actions of Emacs when there is no filter. Such filter functions need to use @code{set-buffer} in order to be sure to insert in that buffer. To avoid setting the current buffer semipermanently, these filter functions must use @code{unwind-protect} to make sure to restore the previous current buffer. They should also update the process marker, and in some cases update the value of point. Here is how to do these things: @smallexample @group (defun ordinary-insertion-filter (proc string) (let ((old-buffer (current-buffer))) (unwind-protect (let (moving) (set-buffer (process-buffer proc)) (setq moving (= (point) (process-mark proc))) @end group @group (save-excursion ;; @r{Insert the text, moving the process-marker.} (goto-char (process-mark proc)) (insert string) (set-marker (process-mark proc) (point))) (if moving (goto-char (process-mark proc)))) (set-buffer old-buffer)))) @end group @end smallexample @noindent The reason to use an explicit @code{unwind-protect} rather than letting @code{save-excursion} restore the current buffer is so as to preserve the change in point made by @code{goto-char}. To make the filter force the process buffer to be visible whenever new text arrives, insert the following line just before the @code{unwind-protect}: @smallexample (display-buffer (process-buffer proc)) @end smallexample To force point to move to the end of the new output no matter where it was previously, eliminate the variable @code{moving} and call @code{goto-char} unconditionally. In earlier Emacs versions, every filter function that did regexp searching or matching had to explicitly save and restore the match data. Now Emacs does this automatically; filter functions never need to do it explicitly. @xref{Match Data}. A filter function that writes the output into the buffer of the process should check whether the buffer is still alive. If it tries to insert into a dead buffer, it will get an error. If the buffer is dead, @code{(buffer-name (process-buffer @var{process}))} returns @code{nil}. The output to the function may come in chunks of any size. A program that produces the same output twice in a row may send it as one batch of 200 characters one time, and five batches of 40 characters the next. @defun set-process-filter process filter This function gives @var{process} the filter function @var{filter}. If @var{filter} is @code{nil}, it gives the process no filter. @end defun @defun process-filter process This function returns the filter function of @var{process}, or @code{nil} if it has none. @end defun Here is an example of use of a filter function: @smallexample @group (defun keep-output (process output) (setq kept (cons output kept))) @result{} keep-output @end group @group (setq kept nil) @result{} nil @end group @group (set-process-filter (get-process "shell") 'keep-output) @result{} keep-output @end group @group (process-send-string "shell" "ls ~/other\n") @result{} nil kept @result{} ("lewis@@slug[8] % " @end group @group "FINAL-W87-SHORT.MSS backup.otl kolstad.mss~ address.txt backup.psf kolstad.psf backup.bib~ david.mss resume-Dec-86.mss~ backup.err david.psf resume-Dec.psf backup.mss dland syllabus.mss " "#backups.mss# backup.mss~ kolstad.mss ") @end group @end smallexample @ignore @c The code in this example doesn't show the right way to do things. Here is another, more realistic example, which demonstrates how to use the process mark to do insertion in the same fashion as is done when there is no filter function: @smallexample @group ;; @r{Insert input in the buffer specified by @code{my-shell-buffer}} ;; @r{and make sure that buffer is shown in some window.} (defun my-process-filter (proc str) (let ((cur (selected-window)) (pop-up-windows t)) (pop-to-buffer my-shell-buffer) @end group @group (goto-char (point-max)) (insert str) (set-marker (process-mark proc) (point-max)) (select-window cur))) @end group @end smallexample @end ignore @node Accepting Output @subsection Accepting Output from Processes Output from asynchronous subprocesses normally arrives only while Emacs is waiting for some sort of external event, such as elapsed time or terminal input. Occasionally it is useful in a Lisp program to explicitly permit output to arrive at a specific point, or even to wait until output arrives from a process. @defun accept-process-output &optional process seconds millisec This function allows Emacs to read pending output from processes. The output is inserted in the associated buffers or given to their filter functions. If @var{process} is non-@code{nil} then this function does not return until some output has been received from @var{process}. @c Emacs 19 feature The arguments @var{seconds} and @var{millisec} let you specify timeout periods. The former specifies a period measured in seconds and the latter specifies one measured in milliseconds. The two time periods thus specified are added together, and @code{accept-process-output} returns after that much time whether or not there has been any subprocess output. The argument @var{seconds} need not be an integer. If it is a floating point number, this function waits for a fractional number of seconds. Some systems support only a whole number of seconds; on these systems, @var{seconds} is rounded down. If the system doesn't support waiting fractions of a second, you get an error if you specify nonzero @var{millisec}. Not all operating systems support waiting periods other than multiples of a second; on those that do not, you get an error if you specify nonzero @var{millisec}. The function @code{accept-process-output} returns non-@code{nil} if it did get some output, or @code{nil} if the timeout expired before output arrived. @end defun @node Sentinels @section Sentinels: Detecting Process Status Changes @cindex process sentinel @cindex sentinel A @dfn{process sentinel} is a function that is called whenever the associated process changes status for any reason, including signals (whether sent by Emacs or caused by the process's own actions) that terminate, stop, or continue the process. The process sentinel is also called if the process exits. The sentinel receives two arguments: the process for which the event occurred, and a string describing the type of event. The string describing the event looks like one of the following: @itemize @bullet @item @code{"finished\n"}. @item @code{"exited abnormally with code @var{exitcode}\n"}. @item @code{"@var{name-of-signal}\n"}. @item @code{"@var{name-of-signal} (core dumped)\n"}. @end itemize A sentinel runs only while Emacs is waiting (e.g., for terminal input, or for time to elapse, or for process output). This avoids the timing errors that could result from running them at random places in the middle of other Lisp programs. A program can wait, so that sentinels will run, by calling @code{sit-for} or @code{sleep-for} (@pxref{Waiting}), or @code{accept-process-output} (@pxref{Accepting Output}). Emacs is also waiting when the command loop is reading input. Quitting is normally inhibited within a sentinel---otherwise, the effect of typing @kbd{C-g} at command level or to quit a user command would be unpredictable. If you want to permit quitting inside a sentinel, bind @code{inhibit-quit} to @code{nil}. @xref{Quitting}. A sentinel that writes the output into the buffer of the process should check whether the buffer is still alive. If it tries to insert into a dead buffer, it will get an error. If the buffer is dead, @code{(buffer-name (process-buffer @var{process}))} returns @code{nil}. If an error happens during execution of a sentinel, it is caught automatically, so that it doesn't stop the execution of whatever programs was running when the sentinel was started. However, if @code{debug-on-error} is non-@code{nil}, the error-catching is turned off. This makes it possible to use the Lisp debugger to debug the sentinel. @xref{Debugger}. In earlier Emacs versions, every sentinel that did regexp searching or matching had to explicitly save and restore the match data. Now Emacs does this automatically; sentinels never need to do it explicitly. @xref{Match Data}. @defun set-process-sentinel process sentinel This function associates @var{sentinel} with @var{process}. If @var{sentinel} is @code{nil}, then the process will have no sentinel. The default behavior when there is no sentinel is to insert a message in the process's buffer when the process status changes. @smallexample @group (defun msg-me (process event) (princ (format "Process: %s had the event `%s'" process event))) (set-process-sentinel (get-process "shell") 'msg-me) @result{} msg-me @end group @group (kill-process (get-process "shell")) @print{} Process: #<process shell> had the event `killed' @result{} #<process shell> @end group @end smallexample @end defun @defun process-sentinel process This function returns the sentinel of @var{process}, or @code{nil} if it has none. @end defun @defun waiting-for-user-input-p While a sentinel or filter function is running, this function returns non-@code{nil} if Emacs was waiting for keyboard input from the user at the time the sentinel or filter function was called, @code{nil} if it was not. @end defun @node Transaction Queues @section Transaction Queues @cindex transaction queue You can use a @dfn{transaction queue} for more convenient communication with subprocesses using transactions. First use @code{tq-create} to create a transaction queue communicating with a specified process. Then you can call @code{tq-enqueue} to send a transaction. @defun tq-create process This function creates and returns a transaction queue communicating with @var{process}. The argument @var{process} should be a subprocess capable of sending and receiving streams of bytes. It may be a child process, or it may be a TCP connection to a server, possibly on another machine. @end defun @defun tq-enqueue queue question regexp closure fn This function sends a transaction to queue @var{queue}. Specifying the queue has the effect of specifying the subprocess to talk to. The argument @var{question} is the outgoing message that starts the transaction. The argument @var{fn} is the function to call when the corresponding answer comes back; it is called with two arguments: @var{closure}, and the answer received. The argument @var{regexp} is a regular expression that should match the entire answer, but nothing less; that's how @code{tq-enqueue} determines where the answer ends. The return value of @code{tq-enqueue} itself is not meaningful. @end defun @defun tq-close queue Shut down transaction queue @var{queue}, waiting for all pending transactions to complete, and then terminate the connection or child process. @end defun Transaction queues are implemented by means of a filter function. @xref{Filter Functions}. @node Network @section Network Connections @cindex network connection @cindex TCP Emacs Lisp programs can open TCP network connections to other processes on the same machine or other machines. A network connection is handled by Lisp much like a subprocess, and is represented by a process object. However, the process you are communicating with is not a child of the Emacs process, so you can't kill it or send it signals. All you can do is send and receive data. @code{delete-process} closes the connection, but does not kill the process at the other end; that process must decide what to do about closure of the connection. You can distinguish process objects representing network connections from those representing subprocesses with the @code{process-status} function. It always returns either @code{open} or @code{closed} for a network connection, and it never returns either of those values for a real subprocess. @xref{Process Information}. @defun open-network-stream name buffer-or-name host service This function opens a TCP connection for a service to a host. It returns a process object to represent the connection. The @var{name} argument specifies the name for the process object. It is modified as necessary to make it unique. The @var{buffer-or-name} argument is the buffer to associate with the connection. Output from the connection is inserted in the buffer, unless you specify a filter function to handle the output. If @var{buffer-or-name} is @code{nil}, it means that the connection is not associated with any buffer. The arguments @var{host} and @var{service} specify where to connect to; @var{host} is the host name (a string), and @var{service} is the name of a defined network service (a string) or a port number (an integer). @end defun