POSIX system() call return value

[jensthiede]

My question is simple, but I guess the answer isn't. Why does the
system() function on a POSIX system return the exit status of the
called command as 2^8*n instead of n?

Any good replies much appreciated,

Jens Thiede.

 

[Igmar Palsenberg]

My question is simple, but I guess the answer isn't. Why does the
system() function on a POSIX system return the exit status of the
called command as 2^8*n instead of n?

Because system() itself might fail, and if the exit status of the called
command was n, there is no way of knowing if system() has failed, of the
called command.



Igmar

 

[jensthiede]

Because system() itself might fail, and if the exit status of the called
command was n, there is no way of knowing if system() has failed, of the
called command.



Igmar

Thanks, that makes sense.

Jens.

 

[Kenneth Brody]

Because system() itself might fail, and if the exit status of the called
command was n, there is no way of knowing if system() has failed, of the
called command.

Which is why, if you check your system's documentation, you will
probably see it tell you which macros to use to decode the value.

--
+-------------------------+--------------------+-----------------------+
| Kenneth J. Brody | www.hvcomputer.com | #include |
| kenbrody/at\spamcop.net | www.fptech.com | <std_disclaimer.h> |
+-------------------------+--------------------+-----------------------+
Don't e-mail me at: <mailto:[email protected]>

 

[Keith Thompson]

My question is simple, but I guess the answer isn't. Why does the
system() function on a POSIX system return the exit status of the
called command as 2^8*n instead of n?

Any good replies much appreciated,

The C standard says only:

If the argument is a null pointer, the system function returns
nonzero only if a command processor is available. If the argument
is not a null pointer, and the system function does return, it
returns an implementation-defined value.

If you have specific questions about POSIX (which is not part of the C
standard), try comp.unix.programmer -- or consult the documentation
for your system.