how to move background process to foreground

batola · 03-05-2010, 04:04 AM

Hi,

is it possible in bash to run one command in background and after it's done show output with less? While background process is running I should be able enter another commands.

What I have is this (sleep is only for simulation):

Code:

{({ ( tree / > tree.txt && sleep 2)  & } && wait && less tree.txt) &} && wait && fg &

Problem is that I don't know and I can't find how to move it to the foreground after completion.

Thanks.

bret381 · 03-05-2010, 04:14 AM

you need to use the job number with the fg command:

fg <job#>

batola · 03-05-2010, 04:15 AM

no, it doesn't work

bret381 · 03-05-2010, 04:22 AM

so your typing command &

then

jobs

output:
[1] Stopped command

then running fg 1

is this right?

batola · 03-05-2010, 04:25 AM

You are right. That works. But what I need is move background process to foreground and to do it in command.

bret381 · 03-05-2010, 04:28 AM

I see, not sure how you would go about doing that. sorry

batola · 03-05-2010, 04:38 AM

OK, np. Thanks anyway ;-) I hope somebody else can help me.

mishkind · 03-05-2010, 07:04 AM

Hi batola,
Its a bit unclear (at least for me) what you are trying to do.
I understand that you are running a process in a background, but I am not sure what you are trying to bring to foreground.
You mentioned that you want to read the output (which is written to a file) of the process after its done. Why do are you trying then to bring it to foreground?

Cheers,
Leonid

Anisha Kaul · 03-05-2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batola

But what I need is move background process to foreground and to do it in command.

Did you mean this ?

Code:

vi trial.c &
fg vi

batola · 03-05-2010, 07:11 AM

What I want is:

1) redirect output from `tree` to tree.txt in background
2) wait while `tree` is running
3) show tree.txt with `less`

All those steps should be run in background and after 1st step is done 3rd step should be brought to foreground.

mishkind · 03-05-2010, 07:16 AM

When you reach step three, is the "tree" process still running?

batola · 03-05-2010, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anishakaul

Did you mean this ?

Code:

vi trial.c &
fg vi

Something like that but basically I want this:

Code:

{ vi trial.c & } && fg vi &

So vi is in background and whole command is in background too and if vi is OK it will be brought to foreground.

batola · 03-05-2010, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishkind

When you reach step three, is the "tree" process still running?

No, because wait is runing until tree ends.

sunnydrake · 03-05-2010, 08:48 AM

{({(tree /tmp > tree.txt)&}&& wait&& less tree.txt&&fg)}& but displays only if you manually run fg 1 ....
popup task to tty foreground from bash script is problem...

batola · 03-05-2010, 08:55 AM

Thanks. But I need it without manually fg