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doc: re-org child_process into async/sync

Cleaner separation between the traditional non-blocking functions and
the new blocking variants.

Signed-off-by: Fedor Indutny <fedor@indutny.com>
archived-io.js-v0.10
Ryan Graham 11 years ago
committed by Fedor Indutny
parent
commit
9452ea2ef5
  1. 46
      doc/api/child_process.markdown
  2. 49
      test/simple/test-child-process-default-options.js

46
doc/api/child_process.markdown

@ -8,11 +8,15 @@ Node provides a tri-directional `popen(3)` facility through the
It is possible to stream data through a child's `stdin`, `stdout`, and It is possible to stream data through a child's `stdin`, `stdout`, and
`stderr` in a fully non-blocking way. (Note that some programs use `stderr` in a fully non-blocking way. (Note that some programs use
line-buffered I/O internally. That doesn't affect node.js but it means line-buffered I/O internally. That doesn't affect node.js but it means
data you send to the child process is not immediately consumed.) data you send to the child process may not be immediately consumed.)
To create a child process use `require('child_process').spawn()` or To create a child process use `require('child_process').spawn()` or
`require('child_process').fork()`. The semantics of each are slightly `require('child_process').fork()`. The semantics of each are slightly
different, and explained below. different, and explained [below](#child_process_asynchronous_process_creation).
For scripting purposes you may find the
[synchronous counterparts](#child_process_synchronous_process_creation) more
convenient.
## Class: ChildProcess ## Class: ChildProcess
@ -24,7 +28,8 @@ streams of the parent process, or they may be separate stream objects
which can be piped to and from. which can be piped to and from.
The ChildProcess class is not intended to be used directly. Use the The ChildProcess class is not intended to be used directly. Use the
`spawn()` or `fork()` methods to create a Child Process instance. `spawn()`, `exec()`, `execFile()`, or `fork()` methods to create a Child
Process instance.
### Event: 'error' ### Event: 'error'
@ -293,7 +298,12 @@ of being received, most likely immediately.
Note that you can also call `process.disconnect()` in the child process when the Note that you can also call `process.disconnect()` in the child process when the
child process has any open IPC channels with the parent (i.e `fork()`). child process has any open IPC channels with the parent (i.e `fork()`).
## child_process.spawn(command, [args], [options]) ## Asynchronous Process Creation
These methods follow the common async programming patterns (accepting a
callback or returning an EventEmitter).
### child_process.spawn(command, [args], [options])
* `command` {String} The command to run * `command` {String} The command to run
* `args` {Array} List of string arguments * `args` {Array} List of string arguments
@ -309,7 +319,7 @@ child process has any open IPC channels with the parent (i.e `fork()`).
Launches a new process with the given `command`, with command line arguments in `args`. Launches a new process with the given `command`, with command line arguments in `args`.
If omitted, `args` defaults to an empty Array. If omitted, `args` defaults to an empty Array.
The third argument is used to specify additional options, which defaults to: The third argument is used to specify additional options, with these defaults:
{ cwd: undefined, { cwd: undefined,
env: process.env env: process.env
@ -381,11 +391,6 @@ Example of checking for failed exec:
console.log('Failed to start child process.'); console.log('Failed to start child process.');
}); });
Note that if spawn receives an empty options object, it will result in
spawning the process with an empty environment rather than using
`process.env`. This due to backwards compatibility issues with a deprecated
API.
The 'stdio' option to `child_process.spawn()` is an array where each The 'stdio' option to `child_process.spawn()` is an array where each
index corresponds to a fd in the child. The value is one of the following: index corresponds to a fd in the child. The value is one of the following:
@ -468,7 +473,7 @@ inherited, the child will remain attached to the controlling terminal.
See also: `child_process.exec()` and `child_process.fork()` See also: `child_process.exec()` and `child_process.fork()`
## child_process.exec(command, [options], callback) ### child_process.exec(command, [options], callback)
* `command` {String} The command to run, with space-separated arguments * `command` {String} The command to run, with space-separated arguments
* `options` {Object} * `options` {Object}
@ -526,7 +531,7 @@ amount of data allowed on stdout or stderr - if this value is exceeded then
the child process is killed. the child process is killed.
## child_process.execFile(file, [args], [options], [callback]) ### child_process.execFile(file, [args], [options], [callback])
* `file` {String} The filename of the program to run * `file` {String} The filename of the program to run
* `args` {Array} List of string arguments * `args` {Array} List of string arguments
@ -550,7 +555,7 @@ subshell but rather the specified file directly. This makes it slightly
leaner than `child_process.exec`. It has the same options. leaner than `child_process.exec`. It has the same options.
## child_process.fork(modulePath, [args], [options]) ### child_process.fork(modulePath, [args], [options])
* `modulePath` {String} The module to run in the child * `modulePath` {String} The module to run in the child
* `args` {Array} List of string arguments * `args` {Array} List of string arguments
@ -584,7 +589,16 @@ done with care and by default will talk over the fd represented an
environmental variable `NODE_CHANNEL_FD` on the child process. The input and environmental variable `NODE_CHANNEL_FD` on the child process. The input and
output on this fd is expected to be line delimited JSON objects. output on this fd is expected to be line delimited JSON objects.
## child_process.spawnSync(command, [args], [options]) ## Synchronous Process Creation
These methods are **synchronous**, meaning they **WILL** block the event loop,
pausing execution of your code until the spawned process exits.
Blocking calls like these are mostly useful for simplifying general purpose
scripting tasks and for simplifying the loading/processing of application
configuration at startup.
### child_process.spawnSync(command, [args], [options])
* `command` {String} The command to run * `command` {String} The command to run
* `args` {Array} List of string arguments * `args` {Array} List of string arguments
@ -615,7 +629,7 @@ until the process has completely exited. That is to say, if the process handles
the `SIGTERM` signal and doesn't exit, your process will wait until the child the `SIGTERM` signal and doesn't exit, your process will wait until the child
process has exited. process has exited.
## child_process.execFileSync(command, [args], [options]) ### child_process.execFileSync(command, [args], [options])
* `command` {String} The command to run * `command` {String} The command to run
* `args` {Array} List of string arguments * `args` {Array} List of string arguments
@ -646,7 +660,7 @@ throw. The `Error` object will contain the entire result from
[`child_process.spawnSync`](#child_process_child_process_spawnsync_command_args_options) [`child_process.spawnSync`](#child_process_child_process_spawnsync_command_args_options)
## child_process.execSync(command, [options]) ### child_process.execSync(command, [options])
* `command` {String} The command to run * `command` {String} The command to run
* `options` {Object} * `options` {Object}

49
test/simple/test-child-process-default-options.js

@ -0,0 +1,49 @@
// Copyright Joyent, Inc. and other Node contributors.
//
// Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a
// copy of this software and associated documentation files (the
// "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including
// without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish,
// distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit
// persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the
// following conditions:
//
// The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included
// in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
//
// THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS
// OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF
// MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN
// NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM,
// DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR
// OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE
// USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
var common = require('../common');
var assert = require('assert');
var spawn = require('child_process').spawn;
var isWindows = process.platform === 'win32';
process.env.HELLO = 'WORLD';
if (isWindows) {
var child = spawn('cmd.exe', ['/c', 'set'], {});
} else {
var child = spawn('/usr/bin/env', [], {});
}
var response = '';
child.stdout.setEncoding('utf8');
child.stdout.on('data', function(chunk) {
console.log('stdout: ' + chunk);
response += chunk;
});
process.on('exit', function() {
assert.ok(response.indexOf('HELLO=WORLD') >= 0,
'spawn did not use process.env as default');
});
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