PRB: FoxPro for Unix Won't Run as a Background Process

• Microsoft FoxPro for UNIX, version 2.6

SYMPTOMS

When FoxPro for UNIX is put into the background by using the ampersand (&) character, FoxPro may dump core, appear to hang, or exit to a system prompt.

CAUSE

FoxPro for UNIX is not designed to run as a background process; it is not supported. FoxPro for UNIX expects constant keyboard interaction.

WORKAROUND

Starting another session by using multiscreens (using ALT+function keys) and running FoxPro for UNIX without putting the process in the background in this new session is the recommended solution. For example:

1. Go to a multiscreen session by pressing ALT+F3.

2. After following steps 1-5 in the "Steps to Reproduce Behavior" section of this article, type the following at the multiscreen's system prompt:

   foxpro /usr/lib/foxpro/test.prg.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

Running FoxPro for UNIX in the background would compromise cross-platform compatibility - FoxPro for UNIX would be significantly different than any other platform. Other UNIX applications, like the editor vi, do not work as background processes either.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior

1. Start FoxPro for UNIX.

2. In the Command window, type:

   SET DEFAULT TO /USR/LIB/FOXPRO.

3. In the Command window, type:

   MODIFY COMMAND test.

4. Type the following code in Test.prg:

   CLOSE ALL SET DEFAULT TO /USR/LIB/FOXPRO/TUTORIAL USE CUSTOMER FOR I = 1 TO RECCOUNT() && START AT FIRST RECORD & GO TO LAST RECORD

         WAIT WINDOW NOWAIT 'RECORD NUMBER: '+ ALLTRIM(STR(RECNO()))
         SKIP && ADVANCE TO NEXT RECORD IN TABLE
   

   ENDFOR USE SET DEFAULT TO /USR/LIB/FOXPRO

5. Save and exit FoxPro to a system prompt.

6. At the system prompt, type:

   foxpro /usr/lib/foxpro/test.prg &.