Template Version: @(#)sac_nextcase 1.68 02/23/09 SMI
This information is Copyright 2009 Sun Microsystems
1. Introduction
1.1. Project/Component Working Name:
daemon() in libc
1.2. Name of Document Author/Supplier:
Author: Vladimir Kotal
1.3 Date of This Document:
17 August, 2009
4. Technical Description
Release binding is Patch/Micro.
1. Introduction
1.1. Project/Component Working Name:
Add daemon() to libc
1.2. Name of Document Author/Supplier:
Author: Vladimir Kotal
1.3. Date of This Document:
08/17/09
4. Technical Description
Background
----------
Since early 90's the libc library shipped with BSD systems contained the
daemon() function. It is still being used by daemons to go into background.
Now, late in the first decade it's time to add the function to Solaris' libc.
Proposal
--------
This case proposes to add the daemon() function to libc.
The goal of this case is to make it easier to port new software to OpenSolaris,
make it more compatible with BSD systems and last but not least make
OpenSolaris more approachable for Linux/BSD programmers.
Comments
--------
One could argue that the original daemon() does not offer much flexibility
and that this approach to daemonization is actually not sufficient in SMF
world. While this is true, it is out of scope of this case to provide modern
alternative.
Exported Interfaces
-------------------
This case delivers the following interfaces:
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+----------+
| Interfaces | Stability | CR |
+----------------------------------------+----------------------+----------+
int daemon(int nochdir, int noclose) Committed 4471189
Man page update
---------------
Standard C Library Functions daemon(3C)
NAME
daemon - basic daemonization function
SYNOPSIS
#include <stdlib.h>
int daemon(int nochdir, int noclose);
DESCRIPTION
The daemon() function provides a way for applications to go into
background.
The function will ensure that the process calling this function:
- runs in the background
- deatches from the controlling terminal
- forms a new process group
- is not a session group leader
The options to the function are treated as boolean variables and are
evaluted using negative logic.
If the nochdir option is other than zero the working directory will
not be changed to the root directory, otherwise it will be.
If the noclose option is other than zero the descriptors 0,1,2
(normally corresponding to standard input, output and error output,
depending on the application) will not be redirected to /dev/null,
otherwise they will be.
RETURN VALUES
Upon successful completion, daemon() returns 0. Otherwise it returns -1.
EXAMPLES
The main() function of a network server could look like this:
int background; /* background flag */
/* Load and verify the configuration. */
/* Go into background. */
if (background && daemon(0, 0) < 0)
err(1, "daemon");
/* Process requests here. */
ATTRIBUTES
See attributes(5) for descriptions of the following attri-
butes:
____________________________________________________________
| ATTRIBUTE TYPE | ATTRIBUTE VALUE |
|_____________________________|_____________________________|
| Interface Stability | Committed |
|_____________________________|_____________________________|
| MT-Level | Async-Signal-Safe |
|_____________________________|_____________________________|
SEE ALSO
attributes(5), fork(2), Intro(2), setsid(2)
6. Resources and Schedule
6.4. Steering Committee requested information
6.4.1. Consolidation C-team Name:
ON
6.5. ARC review type: FastTrack
6.6. ARC Exposure: open
