perldoc -f exec exec LIST exec PROGRAM LIST The "exec" function executes a system command and never returns-- use "system" instead of "exec" if you want it to return. It fails and returns false only if the command does not exist and it is executed directly instead of via your system's command shell (see below). #### ... my $pid = fork(); if (undefined $pid) { die 'Fork failed'; } if (!$pid) { # I am in the child process system $MYCOMMAND; exit; } # I am in the parent process # continue with other business ...