bash: test if program is running

[jmc1024]

I have a cron job that runs 'xfdesktop --reload' every 10 mins. If xfdesktop is not running
then I get errors. So I want to write a bash script that tests if xfdesktop is running before
running 'xfdesktop --reload'. Is there something besides ps and awk that I can use?
Thanks,
Mark

[meatpan]

Just curious, is there a specific reason why you don't want to use ps? This is a very easy task if you use ps.

[diatribe]

Just curious, is there a specific reason why you don't want to use ps? This is a very easy task if you use ps.

indeed you are making a simple task more complicated

[jyba]

I agree with both replies above, ps is the right tool. A shorthand way of doing it would be would be...


ps -C "xfdesktop" >& /dev/null; [[ $? -eq 0 ]] && xfdesktop --reload || xfdesktop

Or, if you prefer a slightly clearer version...


ps -C "xfdesktop" >& /dev/null
if [[ $? -eq 0 ]]; then
xfdesktop --reload
else xfdesktop
fi

[jmc1024]

Thanks for the replies. ps -C is just what I needed. I didn't know it was available. Should have read
the man page...
Thanks again,