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I have a script in my /etc/init.d/ which executes an application. I am able to start,stop and get status of the service from terminal. Now I would like to start the same service from my C++ program. Is there any way other than using system() for this?

Thank you..

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1  
Sup with using system ? – 123 Jan 7 at 10:18
    
If you don't want to use system, you can use fork and execl – Barmar Jan 7 at 19:56
    
Note that the whole /etc/init.d/ machinery is vestigial, and will go away due to systemd. – vonbrand Jan 7 at 20:53
up vote 0 down vote

You can do it using fork() and exec()

pid_t pid = fork();
if (pid == 0) { // child process
    execl("/etc/init.d/servicename", "/etc/init.d/servicename", "start", (char*) 0);
    perror("execl"); // only get here when exec fails
    exit(0);
} else if (pid > 0) { // parent process
    wait(NULL); // wait for child to finish
} else { // error
    perror("fork");
}
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I dont know if it is a stupid doubt.. But what is the need of fork here? Why cant I call exec from parent process itself? – Jackzz Jan 8 at 4:24
    
You need to fork if the C++ program needs to do something after starting the service. – Barmar Jan 8 at 6:38
    
Means to return to the execution of C++ program? – Jackzz Jan 8 at 7:08
    
Yes, of course. exec replaces the program in the current process with the one you execute. So if the original program needs to keep running, it has to fork a child in which the new program runs. – Barmar Jan 8 at 7:13

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