Objective
The objective of this assignment is to familiarize yourself with the notion of a process and the system call fork( ) used to create a new process and pipe( ) to communicate between processes.
Assignment: Using the Fork System Call
Write a simple shell interface program that takes a simple shell command as user input from the parent process then sends the simple shell command to the child process via a pipe IPC which actually executes the shell command.
The idea is to write a C/C++ program using the fork( ) system call to create a child process that blocks on the pipe waiting for some simple shell commands sent by the parent process via the pipe( ) IPC. The child process is then to execute the shell command read on the pipe IPC.
Simple Shell Program Implementation
The simple shell program (sshell.c) is a simple text-based program that takes user input from the parent then sends that input to the child process for execution. Both the parent and child process should loop waiting on either user input (parent) or pipe input (child). The program should run until the user types ‘quit’ or ‘q’ at the command prompt.
To start the simple shell program
./sshell
osh <simple shell command (where the user types in a shell command (ie ls –l))
The <simple shell command is then sent to the child process via the pipe IPC which executes the command by invoking execlp( ). In the example above the directory contents would be displayed by the child process.
Basic Algorithm
Create the pipe for parent/child IPC
Fork the child which should start to block on the pipe waiting on shell commands
Parent should block waiting on user input
Once the shell command is input parent writes the command to the pipe
Child reads pipe, executes command, blocks on pipe waiting for next command.
Repeat steps 3-5 until ‘quit’ or ‘q’ is typed by user.
Error Handling
Perform the necessary error checking to ensure that a valid shell command was entered.
Grading
The program will be graded on the basic functionality, error handling and how well the implementation description was followed. Be sure to name your program sshell.c (no extra characters, capitals) Note that documentation and style are worth 10% of the assignment's grade!
Submission
The program source code should be posted to Blackboard.
