one script at a time (race condition)

[david2008]

Hi all,

I have a group of scripts a.pl ... n.pl.
In each of these script i have section which makes a certain reset of the data base and then make a run.
When 2 of these scripts run together i get a messy result.
How can i restrict that just one process runs at a time ?
It would be sufficient for me that when a.pl runs and i try to run b.pl, that b.pl will die.
How can i achieve this ?

Thanks, David

[roboticus]

david2008:

I see you already have your problem solved. I wanted to mention, though, that instead of using a file, you could use the database itself. At the start of the run, check whether a lock entry exists in the table. If not, add an entry to the table. Do it in a transaction so you can avoid any race conditions. Then, when the run ends, delete the entry.

I only mention it because you're already pounding on the database.

...roboticus

When your only tool is a hammer, all problems look like your thumb.

[Anonymous Monk]

use a common lockfile

[david2008]

Thanks.
This solved the issue.